Sunday 2 May 2010

Large Dark Olive - Baetis Rhodani

With plenty of Large Dark Olives hatching in the early part of the season, it is well worth carrying an imitation. A Pheasant Tail Nymph works a treat for the nymph (part of the Agile Darter family) but for the newly emerged dun, I have found a traditionally hackled fly works very well.

Here I have tied an imitation with CDC plumes to suggest the wings:





Hook: Partridge SLD #18
Thread: Sheer, 14/0, tan
Tails: Coq de Leon
Abdomen: Spectrablend, dark olive
Wing: Natural CDC
Hackle: Silver Badger

Worth tying on hooks between #14 and #18.

~Dave

2 comments:

Andy Baird said...

Real nice Dave, lovely subdued colours. Do you clip the hackle or leave as a full collar?

Andy

Dave Wiltshire said...

Thanks Andy. Somtimes the hackle is left full, other times I cut a V shape underneath.

If you look closely, you'll see that these have the V shape clipped out. Just helps them to sit a little better - but remians right on the surface - withour the body in it.

When they want a fly in the surface, the paradun comes into play.

Cheers,
D.