Best Blue Winged Olive Fly Patterns
Split Flag Quigley BWO
The most noticeable aspect of the Quigley Split Flag is the black post that extends so high above the shank. This paraloop style fly floats low in the water, which the fish notice, while the extended Angel Hair makes it easy to see for the angler. This is a quintessential guide fly, relatively easy to tie, very easy to see and with enough strike inducing triggers to make it well worth tying.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook Size 16-20
- Thread: Olive 70D Danville Flymaster
- Tail: Medium Dun Hackle Fibers, split
- Abdomen: Stripped Peacock Herl
- Wing Post: 50D GSP Thread Looped
- Hackle: Medium Dun
- Thorax: Olive Dubbing, tied thick
- Flag: Black Angel Hair
Swishers Clumpa
The Clumpa style was designed by Doug Swisher, noted fly designer and author. The Clumpa BWO is a low floating fly with a unique profile on the water. Because the hackle is folded during the tying process, it provides a silhouette that is not available on any other mayfly dry. We are all about showing fish something different, especially when fish have been on a hatch for a while. Blue Winged Olives will hatch from mid-September to late November- ample time to get familiar with their shape! The Clumpa shows them something a little different.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook Size 16-20
- Thread: 12/0 Olive Benecchi
- Tail: Dark Dun Hackle Fibers, Split
- Abdomen: Dark Olive Dubbing
- Wing Post: Olive Rubber Leg, pulled over and tied behind the eye after wrapping the hackle
- Hackle: Dark Dun
- Thorax: Dark Olive dubbing
BWO Last Chance Cripple
The Last Chance Cripple was invented by the Harrops for use on the Henry’s Fork, and this fly works. Especially on a blanket hatch like the BWO, when the fish will definitely focus on a specific phase of the hatch. The CDC provides excellent attraction, while the stripped peacock herl body is thin and life-like. We carry the Last Chance Cripple in many different mayflies, because it is so effective,
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook size 18-20
- Thread: Olive 12/0
- Tail: Wood Duck Fibers topped with Clear Antron
- Abdomen: Gray/Olive dyed stripped Peacock Herl
- Thorax: Gray/Olive Dubbing
- Wing: Natural CDC
- Hackle: Medium Dun
Bullet Olive Perdigon
The Perdigon nymph has become Missoula’s hottest fly style, and has been working all across Montana. This awesome BWO nymph sinks rapidly and stays in the zone. The jig hook design almost eliminates snags on the bottom, which allows you to lengthen the dropper to stay closer to the bottom.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Fulling Mill FM50 45 Size 16-18
- Bead: Slotted Tungsten Bead Copper
- Thread: Dark Olive Danville Flymaster Plus
- Tail: Sparse Dark Coq De Leon
- Abdomen: BWO Synthetic Quill Body Wrap
- Wing Case: Pearlescent Tinsel
- Thorax: Dark Olive Danville Flymaster Plus
- Coating: Clear UV Resin over abdomen and thorax/wingcase
Blue Wing Olive Comparadun
Our Missoula fly fishing guides wouldn’t head anywhere in Montana to fish the Blue Winged Olive hatch without taking a few Comparaduns with them. This low floating fly produces in the colder waters in the spring, providing a realistic silhouette. The Comparadun can double as a spinner if you trim the tops of the wing off.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook size 16-20
- Thread: Danville Flymaster 70D Olive
- Wing: Sparse Clump of Deer Body Hair fanned out 180 degrees on top of hook
- Tail: Split Dark Dun MicroFibbetts
- Body: Olive/Grey SuperFine Dubbing.
Blue Wing Olive Hi-Vis Spinner
This is a tricky tie that you’re going to hate, right up until you take it to the water! The CDC wings almost perfectly imitate the spent wings of the BWO Spinner, while the Fl. Orange post let’s you keep track of the fly, so you can control your drift and see the rise.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: Standard Dry Fly Size 18-20
- Thread: 12/0 Olive
- Egg Sac: Yellow Dubbing
- Tail: $-6 Grizzly fibers split by egg sac
- Body: Yellow Dubbing ribbed with Olive Mini Yarn
- Wings; CDC Feathers, tied spent
- Parachute Post: Fl’ Orange Para Post
- Hackle: Pale Dun
Additional Blue Winged Olive Resources
Missoula Montana Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Come enjoy a day on the river with Missoula’s best fly fishing guides. We float the Bitterroot River, Blackfoot River and the Clark Fork River. All gear, lunch and transportation provided.
