Sunday Olives

[DUBBN]

It is some what of a weird weekend for me. I did not get to fish yesterday and there for I dont have any equipment cleaning or organizing to do (code for I am bored). I did note last week that I was down to just a few Olive Soft Hackles and made a mental note to tye a half dozen today. My Olive SH's are very simple tyes. Tail of hen hackle, sometimes ribbed, some times not, body of olive rabbit dubbing, and a hen hackle collar. I can kick em out quickly. This morning I was rumaging around the rats nest (tying desk), and found some small Olive D-Rib. I decided to incorporate it in my Olive SH's

Hook - Mustad 3906B size 14
Thread - Camel 8/0 Uni
Tail - Brown Partridge or Brown Hen Hackle (I used both on these flys)
Rib - Small UTC wire in Hot Yellow or Gold (I used both on these flys)
Abdomen - Small Olive D-Rib (Top is covered with Forest Green Permanent Marker)
Thorax - Olive Rabbit Fur slightly teased out
Collar - Light Dun or Light Brown Hen Hackle (I used both on these flys)







I was not planning on taking pics of these flys as the sky is overcast, but then I thought to myself, "what the hey"!
The Olives tyed from 18 to 14 really start coming into their own from about now (low Summer flows) till Winter hits. They are especially effective on the bigger Whitefish that swim some of the rivers I fish.

[tie2fish]

Those rock, DUBBN . As soon as I finish tying my swap flies, I'm going to tie up a dozen or so of these little beauties.

[letumgo]

Wayne - I am so glad you decided to photograph these and post the recipe. I've sat here for the last 10 minutes going back and forth reading the materials list and studying the photographs in detail. I was surprised to read that the abdomen has D-rib, because it is so smooth. When I read D-rib in the recipe I had to study the flies in greater detail. I really appreciate the craftsmanship that went into these. Beautifully "fishy" flies, my friend.

Great stuff!

SIDE NOTE:
Please don't let overcast days hinder your photograph. I've gotten good results on overcast days. My camera has flash settings for a half-flash (reduced brightness), which works nicely on overcast days. I generally shoot some photos with and some photos without the flash during overcast conditions. I never know which looks better until I download the photos onto the computer. Sometimes I use the ones with a flash, other times the natural light produces better results. It is important to note that the shutter speed will be slower without the flash. In other words, it takes longer to develop the exposure when there is less light coming into the lens of the camera. Slower shutter speeds make images more likely to blur, if the camera moves during the shot. A tripod helps prevent blurring in these conditions.

I mention this simply to encourage you to continue taking photographs of your flies (sunny days, overcast days, etc.). We love to see them.

[willowhead]

Those are very nice Wayne......way cool recipe. i've got that ribbing round here somewhere......prolly at Misa's desk. i'll find it.....thankx for sharing.

[DUBBN]

Thanks folks. It's the words of encouragement from YOU that have gotten me this far in my photography. I am still taking "baby" steps, but through trial and error I am able to now post a pic and say, "see, this is what I am talking about". It really is a double edged sword. I like communicating through pictures, but dang, I can see all the flaws in my tyes! I dont sweat it so much anymore, but seeing the flaws is making me a better tyer.

I do realize that to take better pics I will have to eventually buy better equipment, start using a photo shop type software, and build a better indoor studio. For now though, I am content to take the pics and share with all of you.

Makes me feel all warm inside!!!

[letumgo]

Question about proportions:

Wayne - Do you have any guidelines regarding the proportions of this fly? Specifically, I want to know how you're scaling the length of the tail and the ratio of the abdomen/throax.

Studying the pictures leads me to the following proportions:
Tail length = hook gap
Abdomen = rear 2/3rds of the hook shank
Thorax = front 1/3rd of the hook shank

Does this sound about right?

EDITED FOR CLARITY

[DUBBN]

Question about proportions:

Wayne - Do you have any guidelines regarding the proportions of this fly. Specifically, I want to know how you're scaling the length of the tail and the ratio of the abdomen/throax. Studying the pictures leads me to the following proportions (Tail length = hook gap / Abdomen = two thirds of hook shank / Thorax = one third of hook shank). Does this sound about right?

Thats perfect Ray. Very keen eye. Also, and I think this is a trademark of my "fishing" flys, and I mean that as SH patterns that I use to fish with is, the hackle collar will only reach back to the tie in point of the tail, and not any longer. I have no logical explanation for why I do that, it has just become a part of my style over the years. I am sure this is the reason I am so partial to hen hackle.

[letumgo]

Excellent tip. I'm glad you mentioned the hackle length. It made me go back and study the photos again for the tye in point. You've given me another good reference for scaling the pattern. I notice that your tye in point is just above the barb of the hook. I find reference points like these helpful when changing hook sizes, or repeating a pattern as close to the original.

[DUBBN]

Another alternative to using a colored D-Rib, V-Rib, or Flexifloss is Clear Midge Tubing for small flys (size 20 to 12) and Stretch Magic for larger flys (size 12 -8). These clear materials will give you the body color of the thread used.......

Orange Soft Hackle

Hook - Mustad 3906B size 14
Thread - Orange Uni 6/0
Tail - Brown Hen Hackle
Abdomen - Thread body covered with Clear Midge Tubing , colored on top with Brown Marker
Rib- small Copper wire
Thorax - Orange Haretron Dubbing slightly teased out
Collar - Brown Hen hackle

[letumgo]

Oh man, that is SUPERB!

I like the idea of the clear midge tubing. That way I only need to by one version and then simply color the underbody with marker. (HANK - take note of this one)