Best size 18 Blue Wing(ed) Olive Pattern

Hi,

There are a lot of patterns used for the Fall Baetis. Some are difficult ties on size 18. Some not.

What is your "go-to" style or pattern for a BWO?

Thanks,
Byron

Barr's emerger - just came in from testing them and they passed with flying colors.

I usually fish an unweighted nymph it the film

Really like the first one. Is that widow web wing?

Think I will try some with snowshoe?

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...g/P1020569.jpg

Korn's Deer Hair Emerger- tied by Doug Korn

Great fly for spring creeks. It sets low in water and shines during a hatch.

Hook: MFC scud light wire #14-20 for BWO

Thread: Serifil 200 tan or UNi - 8/0

Tail: amber zelon

Body: just thread wraps over zelon or dubbing to match.

Thorax: BWO olive dubbing or PMD.

Wing: short compara-dun deer hair

Head: deer hair butts

Note: add floatant to thorax and deer hair only...

In the size 18, I love the parachute blue wing olive.
Attachment 10892

That's what I use as a go-to fly on the Ozark streams. If they're not taking them and taking something smaller, I use a #24 blue wing olive.

John's first photo sparked the idea for this messy #18 Snowshoe winged BWO.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...h/IMG_3419.jpg

Yes, thanks!

My little version of your fly.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...h/IMG_3423.jpg

This is one bug we have our side of the pond as well, I'd happily fish any of the hackled flies above. The only thing I would do is take a pair of scissors to the hackle and trim off the bottom. I used to fish parachutes for this, but I found that a thorax tie with the hackle trimmed flush works much better. It may be (no one can ever be sure) that the footprint is different. The trimmed thorax tie sits slightly higher on the water.
Cheers,
A.

This hatch is pretty widespread and varied, so I carry and use quite a few patterns. My favorites are:

Harrop's Hairwing Dun for fishing on top. It rides high enough to be more easily visible, works most of the time, and is easily customized on stream when needed.
Ross Mueller's Fuzzball Emerger. Basically a snowshoe hare wing emerger.
Skinny Nelson nymph. I probably catch more fish on this during BWO hatchs than any other fly. I skip the bead and use Peacock Black Ice Dub for the thorax.

This is my 1st choice when the Olives go below a #16. The Olive Badger. A simple pattern, wingless, with a thread body.


Attachment 10898

Hook: #18 Mustad 98840
Thread: Olive Dun 8/0 Uni
Tail: Medium Pardo CDL
Abdomen: Tying Thread
Thorax: Olive Spectrablend
Hackle: Silver Badger V-notched

... you were speaking of CDL, weren't you, Ralph ??

Follow the link to a simple and productive BWO parachute.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...041309fotw.php

I used to fish BWO hatches fairly often. Up here and where I fish now, not so much. :sad:

My other old standard for a BWO hatch was a soft hackled pheasant tail nymph - tied like a PTN sans the wing case and legs substituting a sparsely wrapped brown hen soft hackle for an "in the round" look.

John

P.S. Ralph - I'm thinking I might combine my CDL approach with your "thorax" style hackling and try fishing it wherever.

John, I like that technique for the abdomen. It would make for a very simple pattern, and the medium to dark pardo would give the right shade I am thinking? I may have to try that as well.....We can compare notes. :)

NJTroutbum,
I like the fly and the picture. I found the reflection interesting.
My own favorite has been a variant (wingless) tied with a body of DMC wool (not cotton!) floss. I use light to medium blue dun for the tail and hackle.
The wool floss is vastly more durable than DMC cotton floss. It's also a lot harder to find.
If you can find Kreinick (sp?), DMC has some metallics that might be useful.

Ed

Time to celebrate!
Was tying this fly this morning and was thinking of how lucky we are to have the hackle available to us today. I bought this hackle as a $56 saddle. Nearly all the hackle is smaller than #14!!!
I think it is incredible how nice the hackle is today and what a bargain for us!!


PS: There is a V clipped on the bottom of the fly's hackle.


http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...h/IMG_3425.jpg

This is a better pic of the BWO CDL parachute than shown in the FOTW article.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...9_edited-1.jpg

And one from the same week fishing the soft hackle pheasant tail.



http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...011_edited.jpg

I do miss that little tailwater in the Central Mountains of Idaho.

John

Beautiful pictures. Beautiful fish John.

Here's an 18 Loop Wing I just tied. I used a "noodle" of ice dub for the loop.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...h/IMG_3426.jpg

Its amazing how much better a fly looks in the mouth of a fish. :)

So right! So right!!
I intend to have such a photo late next week for you..............

not a BWO, but similar photo from earlier this summer

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...G-Version2.jpg

John, aren't there BWOs in your part of the country? Or do the fish just grab those FEBs any time of the year?

God you all are good. Waking up to your thoughts about trout fishing and superb pictures of fish and flys is an exhilarating way to start my day. I am humbled and blessed to have FAOL in my life. Don't know you personally but I feel like I have known all of you forever. Someday I might have that privilege. Thanks ever so kindly. Have a smooth day and tight lines from Madison, Wisconsin. Michael J.

This is a more sparse #18 Loop Wing.

Scott, I seem to have lost your post with your flies. Could you please re-post - especially the first photo?
Thanks

Would appreciate seeing others post pics of their loop wing size 18's to give me more ideas.

Not saying this is the best example, but I believe the sort of "swept back" nature of this style of a loop wing looks more natural than the straight upright patterns. Anyone agree? Anyone disagree?



http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...h/IMG_3428.jpg

I agree....A CDC loop as in the LTD has the angled back profile as well.