Fly Angler's OnLine "Fly of the Week #3"

Olive Paradun

(September 15-21, 1997)


Para Dun
Parachute Dun shown courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants, Glide, Or.

"Among the two or three patterns I use regularly to imitate the blue-winged olive is the "olive paradun." Tied on a straight hook from size 18 to 24, this par achute pattern, died with a natural deer hair post rides low on the water. About half the time, trout key on the emergers and, in this situation, I'll trail a #20-24 olive nymph or emerger and a 12-18 inch dropper tied to the bend of the hook of the dry. The rear half of the dropper and the nymph or emerger are treated with mud or leader sink to ride slightly below the surface." -SS

The olive paradun was selected for fall fishing in the Grayling, Michigan region by guest writer, Steve South ard. Steve is also highlighted in this weeks' Eye of the Guide section - DB

Hook:

Tiemco #101 or Daiichi 1110, sizes #14 to #24.

Thread:

Olive-dun Uni-thread size 6/0 for #14-18, size 8/0 for #20 and smaller (black thread may be substituted).

Tail:

Light to medium hackle fibers (Microfibbets may be substituted).

Body:

Hareline Fur Dubbin #39, Dark Olive Brown.

Hackle

Light to medium dun hackle.

Wing (Post):

Natural fine darker-colored deer hair.
Tying Instructions:

The olive paradun is a parachute tie, with a natural deer hair post. This pattern is tied from size #14 down to #24 and used predominately in the Grayling Michigan region in size # 20-22. In the smaller sizes, I prefer a straight-eye dry fly hook. - SS

  1. Tie in light to medium dun hackle fibers for the tail, using olive-dun Uni-thread, size 6/0 for #14-18, size 8/0 for #20 and smaller (black thread and light or medium dun Microfibbets may be substituted).

  2. I prefer natural dubbing for this pattern and use Hareline Fur Dubbin #39, Dark Olive Brown. Spin the fibers onto the waxed thread and wrap forward to form slender body.

  3. The post (wing) is natural, darker-colored deer hair that is fine and not hollow (hollow hair will flair too much). Hair from a fall killed whitetail or coastal deer hair will be fine enough to use for size #18 and smaller. The deer hair post should be about 1 ½ times as long as the width of the gap of the hook.

  4. Tie in the bundle of hair with tips facing forward, wrap to secure. Set wing upright using several turns of thread in front of the wing. Wrap thread horizontally around the post to form a base for hackle.

  5. Hackle with good quality light to medium dun hackle. The rooster super saddles yield excellent results and hackle volume in size #14 to #18 or 20; for sizes #22 and smaller, use rooster neck hackle. The hackle for this parachute should be one size l arger than used on standard winged flies (use #16 hackle for #18 fly, etc.). Position hackle feather along side the hook with tip pointing back. Tie in, with the shiny side of the feather up. Wrap the hackle three times around the base of the wing to form a horizontal collar. Tie off, (carefully) without wrapping over the hackle. Trim.-S.S.