Rough Olive

[Smuggler]

Thinking about Baetis fishing lately. I tied this on an Alec Jackson North Country hook size 15.

Start by waxing your silk, I used primrose and a nice wax that William gave me while we we're at the Lancaster show. Gives it a perfect olive shade.

Next tie in your feather, I used a slate colored hen.. I think Keough. Take your silk back to the point.


Select your dubbing. I used a pre-blended SLF olive dub. I took most of the flashy fibers out, I don't really like them. When applying the dubbing pinch and slightly twist.


Dub upto the tie in spot where your hen hackle is, take a turn or two in front of the hackle.


Two turns of hackle and tie off. Make a nice head with your whip finish and you're done!


Hope you enjoy.
Hook: Alec Jackson North Country size 15
Silk: Primrose waxed with dark cobblers
Dubbing: SLF Olive
Hackle: Keough Med. Dun

[tie2fish]

Very nicely done, Eric. The result should serve you well when the olives come out; a nearly identical tie has produced consistently on Bellefonte's Spring Creek tied on Sizes #18 and #20.

[Old Hat]

Nice job on the SBS. An easy pattern to tie and very productive.

[Smuggler]

Tied a handful up last night on a size 18 with a slightly larger hackle and a tail.

[tie2fish]

O-18 ... Bingo!

[DOUGSDEN]

Dang Eric!
These are special! Their beauty lies in their simplicity! You do realize that after you murderize a bunch of trouts, you must report back to us immediately and with a ton of pictures! Or, the curse will be upon you!
I'm really not that spooky.....
Doug

[Smuggler]

Haha thanks Doug

[DOUGSDEN]

Eric,
I was wondering if you had a chance to flick a few olives over your favorite waters? It seems they are the first to show and the last to go! Have any hatched lately? I am still impressed with your "Rough Olive" from a couple weeks ago (SBS). I am always looking for an early season alternative to such favorites as PT's and all their variations and Iron Blues, etc. Your patterns look enticing to me (I think like a fish - just as my wife) and I know that my local lovelies would like them too even if they seldom see an olive!
Always impressed with what you are doing at the vice and on stream,
Doug

[Smuggler]

Unfortunately Doug, it's still unseasonably cold in my area. We need a couple days with mid fifties and sunshine to warm our waters up for olive activity. .. lately it's all I can think about. Local news says the second week of April should feel more seasonal.

I'm counting the days.

Thank you for the kind words though!