Fly Tying Baetis - Blue Winged Olive - Dry Fly Patterns

Getting ready for fall Baetis hatches? Blue Winged Olive hatches are one of our major hatches in the fall, and the fish really take notices of all the little olive bugs on the water. Rapid, Castle, Spearfish, Crow, and Sand Creeks all see significant hatches of BWO's from mid September through October typically, especially on cool and overcast days. The main portion of the hatch can last anywhere from 2-5 hours, and the trout are actively feeding on the adults during the entire hatch. While the fish aren't typically super selective, it's good to have a few different patterns in different sizes to match the insects closely. Here are a few of our favorite and most successful patterns to tie up before you head out this fall! Not a fly tier? Here are some of our favorite Blue Winged Olive Flies on our webstore. Stop by the shop or give us a call if you would like any other assistance picking out patterns to match this important hatch. 605-341-2450

Vis a Dun Baetis

John Barr's Pattern is very easy to see on the water, floats well, and best of all it catches fish. This is a fairly easy fly to tie, and it works great. Vis a Dun Baetis Materials

CDC Baetis Cripple

This Rene Harrop pattern is a great trick to have up your sleeve. When fish get very selective and begin to refuse standard Baetis patterns, then give the Last Chance Cripple at try. Shop for Last Chance Cripple Tying Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yPjCfDKJp4

CDC Sparkle Dun

Easy to tie and equally effective, the added split winged technique adds a realistic wing silhouette to this pattern. This has been a go-to mayfly pattern across the west for a long time, and for good reason. CDC Sparkle Dun Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL_v5EbSlbA

Extended Body Dun

This is a pattern that requires a bit of dexterity to tie, but the results are worth it. Very realistic body style that can be used with a variety of winging techniques. If the fish get picky or you're fishing for more pressured fish, this is a great pattern to have. Extended Body Dun Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnB4uIu-r1U

Sparkle Dun Baetis

If you were only to have one fly fishing fishing a Baetis hatch, this might be the one. Very effective pattern, and a straightforward tie with few materials - this is a great fly to have in your arsenal. Tie in sizes 18-22 for Fall Baetis. Sparkle Dun Baetis Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=120Q-nMpGP8&t=28s

Blue Winged Olive

The classic Blue Winged Olive is a great fly, especially in riffles or choppy water where it floats high and doesn't have as much of a tendency to sink. Classic pattern that has fooled a lot of fish. A lot of fish that see more parachute style flies will eat this without hesitation, possibly due to most folks not fishing classic style dry flies. Blue Winged Olive Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrabJTc3D5M&t=513s

Morgan's Midge

Despite being called a Midge, this pattern works just as well during a Baetis (Blue Winged Olive Hatch). We like this all around in a size 18 for baetis; smaller sizes are perfect for midges. The Morgan's Midge is a great fly to have in your box from fall through spring in the Black Hills and beyond! Morgan's Midge Fly Tying Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzM7Tytfde4

Parachute Blue Winged Olive

Another solid all around pattern for any baetis hatch. Don't be without a few of these in sizes 16-22. Easy to see, and once you master the parachute tying style they're a simple pattern to tie. Parachute Blue Winged Olive Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg7z0aHBy80

CDC Thorax Dun

The CDC Thorax Dun is one of our favorite flies to fish during the Blue Winged Olive mayfly hatch! We used olive colored materials in this video to match Blue Winged Olive mayflies, but you can alter the color and size to match other species. This pattern works very well for Pale Morning Duns - adjust the biot color and dubbing color to a pale yellow or PMD yellow. This fly is a staple in our boxes from Spring through Fall. CDC Thorax Dun Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwXve4g4qrQ&t=25s

Parachute Adams

The Parachute Adams has arguably caught more trout in the last few decades than any other dry fly pattern out there. This is a fly that work anywhere trout rise, and is generic enough that it can match a wide variety of insects and hatches. If you don't have this fly in your box, you're missing out. Parachute Adams Tying Materials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtc56Qo2DJM