Tying A Blue Winged Olive

Here’s a step-by-step guide to tying a Blue Winged Olive (BWO) fly for fly fishing:

Materials Needed:

• Hook: Size 16-22 standard dry fly hook

• Thread: Olive or dark olive, 8/0 or 6/0

• Tail: Dun or light gray hackle fibers or microfibbets

• Body: Olive dubbing or fine olive thread

• Wings: CDC feathers or light gray synthetic wing material

• Thorax: Olive dubbing, slightly darker than the body

• Hackle: Dun or light gray dry fly hackle

Tools Needed:

• Fly tying vise

• Bobbin holder

• Scissors

• Hackle pliers

• Bodkin or needle

• Whip finish tool

  
  

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Secure the Hook

1. Place the hook in the vise, clamping it securely with the hook shank horizontal.

2. Start the thread just behind the eye of the hook, wrapping it toward the bend to create a base layer. Stop just above the hook point.

   
   

Step 2: Tie in the Tail

1. Select a small bunch of dun or light gray hackle fibers, about the same length as the hook shank.

2. Tie in the tail at the bend of the hook, securing it with a few tight wraps.

3. Trim the excess fibers, and continue wrapping the thread over the tie-in point to smooth it out.

   
   

Step 3: Create the Body

1. If using dubbing, apply a small amount of olive dubbing to the thread, twisting it to create a thin, even noodle.

2. Wrap the dubbed thread forward to form a slim, tapered body that ends just before the hook eye.

3. If using thread for the body, simply wrap the thread forward to create a smooth, tapered body.

   
   

Step 4: Attach the Wings

1. Select two CDC feathers or a small piece of synthetic wing material.

2. Tie in the wings directly in front of the body, with the tips extending slightly beyond the hook eye. The wings should sit upright or slightly angled back.

3. Secure the wings with a few firm wraps, making sure they stay centered on top of the hook shank.

4. If needed, divide the wings into two equal parts and figure-eight wrap the thread between them to create a V-shape.

   
   

Step 5: Prepare and Attach the Hackle

1. Select a dun or light gray hackle feather with barbs appropriate for the hook size.

2. Strip a small section of fibers from the base of the feather to expose the stem.

3. Tie in the hackle stem just in front of the wings, with the shiny side facing you.

4. Wrap the hackle forward, making 3-4 turns behind the wings and 2-3 turns in front of the wings.

   
   

Step 6: Create the Thorax

1. Apply a small amount of darker olive dubbing to the thread.

2. Wrap the dubbed thread just behind the hook eye, creating a small, slightly bulkier thorax.

   
   

Step 7: Finish the Fly

1. Use a whip finish tool to tie off the thread just behind the eye of the hook.

2. Trim the thread close to the hook.

3. Optionally, apply a tiny drop of head cement to the thread wraps for added durability.

   
   

Step 8: Inspect and Adjust

1. Inspect the fly to ensure everything is secure and properly proportioned.

2. Trim any stray fibers or adjust the wings if necessary.

   
   

Tips:

• Keep the body and wings slender to match the natural BWO.

• Ensure the hackle is sparse enough to allow the fly to sit low in the water, imitating an emerging insect.

• Practice tying a few to perfect the proportions and achieve a natural look.

  
  

This Blue Winged Olive fly is a versatile and effective pattern, especially during fall hatches.