Monday, April 17, 2017

Olives....the Little Mayflies

Olives, no this is not a post about those salty mainstays of so many worldwide. Instead its about those little mayflies that so many are aware of. These flies are about from late April to September and can bring about some interesting reactions from the resident trout populations. Some of these flies can be tiny, and some not so, those are what I tie...14-16-18, and i tie the spider-soft-hackle version.



Materials are, hooks, olive silk, natural mole dubbing, and dun hen hackle.


The silk is started behind the eye and wrapped back to about the hook point or slightly beyond. Always touching turns with the silk in order to eliminate gaps.


The silk is then touched lightly with wax about an inch and a half. Then the mole is dubbed very sparse. You can now remove some if you think it maybe to much. This is about right for me.


Then the thread is wrapped forward to slightly behind the eye.


The feather is attached. I know it looks big for the size hook but your only using the smaller barbules of the feather. Two turns of the feather then it's secured with the silk,waste trimmed and whip finished.


Completed size 14 BWO spider.


Size 14 BWO spider using olive squirrel dubbing, and a somewhat fuller hackle.


A size 16 BWO spider, sparse mole dub and sparse hackle.












22 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. William Shuck
      Thanks
      Bill I think the sparseness is what makes it so effective.

      Delete
  2. sparse just the way the trout like them, nice ties again mate, you sure your not a Yorkshireman living in USA...lol

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    Replies
    1. George
      Thanks
      George they do prefer them that way it seems. An Itlaian Yorkshireman...wow...

      Delete
  3. Outstanding, and sure appreciate the pictorial! I am sold on Soft Hackles/Spiders......I have learned from the Master!

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    Replies
    1. Mel-Fly Tyin Times
      Thanks
      Mel they do bring a few fish to hand....master well I'm not there yet.

      Delete
  4. Looks like a winner to me. Thanks for sharing.

    Chris MaineFly207

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      Chris they do work, at least most times they're fished.

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  5. Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Your so kind Mark....it's appreciated.

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  6. I fish BWOs frequently but have to say that I've not found one that I really like. I guess it's time to dust and arrange the tying desk and give these beauties a try. Thanks Alan.

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    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Come on now Howard, lets get to it. I want to see a fish with on of them soft-hackles in its lip.

      Delete
  7. Nice ties Alan. I tried something new today. I tied up some elongated griffiths gnats, just to make it easier for me to see and make fishing it more enjoyable. Worked like a charm. Took four trout in about half an hour.

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    Replies
    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John you mean you tied them on a long shank hook?
      I'd love to see one.
      Four trout in a half hour, that's great.

      Delete
  8. Great talent you have Alan and a lot of dedication too ..

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    Replies
    1. Armando Milosevic
      Thanks
      Armando I appreciate your kind words.

      Delete
  9. Alan,

    Once again simplistic beauty..... They would certainly do well on the rivers and streams over here.

    Alistair (another Yorkshireman;-))

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      Alistair it feels wonderful to get the approval from a Yorkshireman...very much appreciated.

      Delete
  10. Alan
    A post I will refer back to when my fly tying starts this winter. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill these are a few staples. Good for trout and panfish.

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  11. Great tie Alan..I really enjoyed this instructional post

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    Replies
    1. penbayman
      Thanks
      Mike those little flies are effective for most of the season.

      Delete