Wednesday, March 30, 2011

More On Spring Blue-winged Olives By Our Friend, Ed Engle

Although the article linked below is written for Ed's backyard - Colorado - his comments and information are apropos for matching and fishing the early spring blue-winged olive hatches anywhere in the continental U.S.
 
Remember that the fishing action really begins when the blue-winged olive nymphs, which are good swimmers, make their way from the stream bottom to the surface where they will emerge from the nymphal shuck as winged, air-breathing adults. Look for blue-winged olive emerger patterns in sizes 18-22 that utilize flashy synthetics such as Mylar, Krystal Flash, Antron or silver-lined glass beads. Besides giving the impression of movement and action, the flashy stuff also imitates the bright air bubble associated with a nymph as it heads toward the water's surface or as it begins to extricate itself from the shuck.

Link: Ed Engle: Spring winds delay the fly-fishing season - Boulder Daily Camera

I have recently tied up some emergers with the silver-lined glass beads after he showed his technique for them at one of the winter fly fishing shows. I'll post a photo when I get chance.

Some great information from one of the guys in our sport that speaks softly and should always be listened to.  I learn something from Ed everytime I talk to him, and he usually good for a laugh or two as well.

Get out and fish!

4 comments:

Mr. Q said...

Hi Matt,
I tied some parachute emergers. The bottom looks like a pheasant tailwith the cooper wire and tail, then it goes to dark green dubbing, a slate blue post and the hackle is grizzly with a dark green and brown dubbed head (size 18 and 20. The post is Antron so it has some sparkle. The hook is bent to look like a Klinkhammer. Do you think this will work.

Matt Grobert said...

It will work, I'm sure.....you may want to tie me a couple so I can test them... :)

Mr. Q said...

The kids got one to take photos of...I hope they come out nice. But I will, see me next week and I'll have them.

Brian said...

Please do show us the silver bead emerger, sounds like something different. I have seen a bead back midge emerger.