Bodkin / Patterns

Little Fall Olive Nymph

Nymph · Intermediate · 1 version

As tied on Tying Michigan's Best Trout Flies

  • Hook Wet fly hook, 16 (or 18 dry fly hook)
  • Thread Golden olive

Materials

  • Bead Bead head, size and colour not stated (Also tied without a bead for fishing upstream to rising fish)
  • Tail Pheasant tail fibres (About two thirds of the shank length)
  • Body Pheasant tail fibres, wound
  • Wing case Pheasant tail fibres folded over, Frank Sawyer style
  • Thorax Thread, built up with olive colour

How to tie it

  1. Put the hook in the vise. Start golden olive thread and run it back to the bend.
  2. Tie in a small clump of pheasant tail fibres for the tail, about two thirds of the shank length, with a couple of wraps at the bend.
  3. Take the thread forward near the bead. Wind the pheasant tail up the shank in a few overhand wraps and tie it off behind the bead.
  4. Wind the thread rearward, then forward again over the same ground, to reinforce the body.
  5. Make the wing case in the style Frank Sawyer used: trap a clump of pheasant tail, fold it forward, tie it, then fold it back behind the clump and tie it again.
  6. Build the thorax with the thread and a little olive colour near the bead.
  7. Tie off with a hand whip finish.

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