Blue Dun Poly Wing Olive #16
Well, this pattern is an adaptation and mutilation of a couple of patterns
of the BWO Duns that I have researched. Firstly, it is tied in a simmilar
manner to Jim Stangowtiz's Crowsnest Olive Dun (also tied for the Xmas Swap
by Jim Fox). However, Jim utilized hackle for the tail, and yellow wood
duck flank fibers for the wing. He also tied with one brown and one grizzly
hackle instead of a dun per say.
Well, being new to the sport (3 years) I am like a Generation X tier or
something as I find that I utilize a lot of synthetics in my tying. I am
a die-hard fisher of the Parachute Adams and would not leave home without
it. Let the others try and tie those hackles in for wings - one quick tie
of poly does the trick for me!
The other synthetic material you will find on this fly is the Brown Microfibets
<sp?> tail. I am currently experimenting with a cheaper alternative
-- paintbrush bristles! More bang for you buck as the brand name fibets
aren't cheap! However, the fibets are available in a Blue Dun and other
assorted colours and they make great tails. I highly recommend them! In
any event, you will notice that they are extremely thin, therefore, rather
than using two or three as the natural duns have I tie in about five --
besides I don't really think fish have learned to count yet!
Now.. onto the research part. In reading "Fly Patterns - An International
Guide" ISBN 0-7063-6898-3 by Taff Price (pg.14) I learned that the
"Blue-Winged Olive" (Ephemerella ignita) is found on wild streams
and also more sedate chalk streams (which explains why it's so succesful
for Jim on the Crowsnest). It is also easy to recognize because it has 3
tails - other olives *only* have two. The American dressing given in the
book for this pattern was:
Hook: 4 - 16.
Thread: Olive.
Tail: Dark dun hackle fibres.
Body: Grey olive fur.
Rib: None.
Hackle: Dark dun.
Wing: Dark blue dun hackle tips set upright.
Well, I picked up a sample of this pattern from Denny's FlyShop in town
to see how it was tied locally. I was impressed and depressed at the same
time (i.e. I have a long way to go before I can tie what this guy tied!
). Not only was I lacking some talent but some of the required materials!
Yup, did I forget to mention that all of my Dun capes are like quality 4-
and they are basically good for only extremely large wet flies! Therefore,
my alternative was to use gray mallard quill sections for wings -- again
I ties GenX style -- those Trad Fly Wings look great until I wrap the hackle
stems all over them shredding them to pieces.
SO -- on to more research!! I read up on the imitation patterns for the
Olive Dun (sub-imago) Sz 12-14 given, Dark Olive (Baetis rhodani) Sz 12-14
given and the Rough Olive pattern. Then I proceed to bastardize and hybridize
the patterns and then Jimbo emails me uh uh -- Size 18!! Yah.. like I can
tie size 18 Griffith Gnats fine... but this patterns got some sticky details
and wings!! So to make a long story short I'm thinking that a) I usually
fish a Parachute Adams to imitate most mayfly hatches anyways, and b) what
the hell is the fish gonna care... if it looks green like the other buggies,
and he bites on Mr. Adams... why not tie a Green Poly Style Adams. Therefore,
the resulting FrankenFly is:
Hook: Sz 14-22.
Thread: Olive 8/0.
Tail: Brown Microfibets.
Body: Olive dubbing, or can blend with 1/3 olive hare's ear
and 2/3 brown dog hair. (Yes two of these flies are tied with
cocker spaniel from a dog named "Ginger" -- See if you were
lucky enough to get one! It's a keeper!).
Wing: Blue Dun Polypropolene Yarn
Hackle: 1 Grizzly, 1 Brown (I have no decent dun, and thus
tied it Adams style).
Head: Olive thread.
Lance Taylor
lancet@msn.com