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Blue Winged Olive Mayfly
Seeing Small Dries
Blue Winged Olive Mayfly
Fishing in March and April marks the unofficial beginning of the fly fishing season because with when the temperatures warm, the BWOs start hatching. And although midges are available year round on many rivers, the sight of these first mayflies can go a long way toward warming an angler’s blood. But BWOs bring a certain amount of frustration to many anglers, because they can be really hard to see on the water.
BWOs range in size from very small (size 20-22) to smallish medium (size 14-16). Making matters worse is the dark color of their wings (hence the name) and the flat light in which the best hatches often take place. Together, these factors mean that BWOs aren’t much easier to see than midges. I wish I had something beyond carrots, glasses or Lasik to help you improve your vision, but I don’t. What I do have is a tip that is a variation on something you’ve probably already done under other conditions, a “dry-dropper” or hopper-and-a-dropper” combination. Tie your BWOs, midges or other small patterns about 18 inches behind a dry fly that is easy for you to see.
This week I had great success with a size 14 Klinkhammer as my lead fly. This fly, tied in dark olive or brown makes a decent imitation of an emerging blue wing, but more importantly its high-floating white post makes it easy to pick out in flat light and it floats amazingly well for a small dry.
I started out before the hatch with an SOS (a great baetis nymph) hanging on a long dropper below the Klinkhammer. A couple of fish took the dry even before the hatch, but the SOS took a beating. Then, once the bugs started making their way to the surface, I didn’t have to change over a whole nymph rig; I just retired the SOS and tied on a Bruce’s Blue Wing and started picking them off the top. I couldn’t see the blue wing after 95% of my casts, but I picked up the Klinkhammer right away. Once I found it, I was usually able to see the smaller, darker fly. Even when I couldn’t, I knew it was within 18 inches of the lead fly, so I just set on anything close.
Next time you’re out on the river and you find yourself unsure as to which rises are to your fly, try this little trick and take the frustration out of the equation. Remember, if you’re not having fun, you aren’t doing it right.
See you on the water.
Bryan Eldredge
UFG Owner, Fly Fishing Guide, and Instructor
