Very Creative Bosnian 'Secret' Olives

One's You Can Actually See!

At this time of year, one of the most popular dry fly imitations to use, especially when fishing between 11am and 5pm is the humble Olive pattern.

There are many different variations of this style of fly, but today we have one of the very best available - a stunning selection of CdC Indicator Olives, just as they use on those 'picky' wild fish in Bosnia.

Please Note: These selections are very limited - we've only 30 available for sale and we will not have any more until this time next year!

I asked 'our man in Bosnia' to tie us something he would use himself on his home waters  (the Ribnik & Sana) during the warmer months.

This was the result:

When I first received the first samples I was stunned and took them straight out onto the water for a test - 4 casts, and 2 fish - what more can I say - it's all the more impressive that this was in early June, and the middle of a Mayfly hatch!

Check out these Bosnian bad boys ...

These flies have very specific tying materials:

• Hook: Dohiku HDD 301, size 16
• Body Tying Thread: Troutline Champion 8/0 – Colour A7 (Moss Green) or A11 (Sand)
• Head Tying Thread: Veevus GSP 30D – Black
• Tail: Coq de Leon
• Body: Smoothly Wrapped Thread (A7 or A11) to form a slim, tapered profile
• Wing: 4 Class-1 CdC Feathers (Natural) - tied upright for excellent flotation
• Thorax (Legs/Front): Natural Squirrel Dubbing
• Hot-Spot (Indicator):
  • Red Indicator: Fluorescent Red Silk – tied as a hot-spot between the CdC wings
  • Fluoro Green: Fluorescent Yellow-Green Silk – tied as a hot-spot between the CdC wings

As we've only got 30 of these Bosnian 'Secret' Summer Olive Selections available (I'm keeping some for myself, to try out in Wales next week) I'll get straight down to the offer:

Our selection of Bosnian 'Secret' Summer Olive Selection includes 4 different variations, 3 each of the following:

• Scarlet 'Secret' CdC Olive (A7 body)
• Fluoro Green 'Secret' CdC Olive (A11 body)
• Scarlet 'Secret' CdC Olive (A7 body)
• Fluoro Green 'Secret' CdC Olive (A11 body)

These specialist trout dry flies are all tied on Size 16 Dohiku HDD 301 Barbless hooks - a great wide-gape hook with maximum strength.

Our Bosnian 'Secret' Summer Olive Selection is only available as a selection of 12, 3 each of 4 different patterns (all size 14) & priced at only £25 - which includes FREE delivery to anywhere within the UK.

We are also making our Bosnian 'Secret' Summer Olive Selection available in one of Jeff Jones's beautiful Oak fly boxes, for only an additional £35 (bringing the price for the Bosnian fly selection and the box to £60) - which includes FREE delivery to anywhere within the UK.

Please Remember: We've only 30 of these selections available, so if you want a set, you will need to be quick - Our Bosnian flies always sell out within a few hours of being released!

Keep reading for more info and detailed images of the flies - you'll be glad you did ...

Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to - at £25 for the selection, these will not hang around for long!

 

Want to know a little more

 about the Blue-Winged Olive?

What is it?

The Blue-Winged Olive (Serratella ignita) is a member of the Ephemerellidae family. Found in rivers across the whole of the UK, these flies are generally small with three long tails - it seems that the further north in the UK, the smaller the fly. The wings of the dun usually have a blue tinge to them - hence their name. We will learn more about the Ephemerellidae family through the season, as they make up lots of flies the angler is predominantly interested in.

Timing & Location(s)

Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) are commonly found in all rivers throughout the UK and Ireland. They can also be found in some of the smaller stillwaters, especially those which are fed by faster flowing streams. Blue-Winged Olives prefer to live in fast-flowing streams and rivers, especially where abundant aquatic vegetation is present.

The Blue Winged Olive hatch usually starts in the first two weeks of June and will continue through until the end of August. It's also possible that you will see these flies on the water in May and September, but their main hatch is from June through August. Look out for these once the Mayfly hatch has finished.

During June to August hatches usually occur around midday and can last for up to three hours, with major bursts of activity only lasting around 15 to 30 minutes (have your flies ready before you enter the water!). Once we get into September the hatches tend to peter out quite quickly.

When do trout take them?

Usually during mid-day - Once the nymph decides the time is right to hatch into a Dun (this can be anytime between 11am and 4pm) the nymph swims through the water column to the surface. The nymph then transforms into the dun in open water and takes a few moments for its wings to unfold and dry out (it is at this point where it is able to fly). From the time the nymph arrives at the surface to when its wings dry out is the point that trout usually take them (either just below the surface or as they emerge), so don't be too quick to retrieve your dry fly if it should start to sink!

On maturing into a spinner the BWO's wings turn transparent and its body colour transforms into a light-brown colour. The female BWO's hover over pools late in the day when they are about to lay their eggs. The BWO will then land on the water and dip its abdomen through the surface of the water to lay its eggs. Fish will usually sit at the head of pools and riffles to intercept the dying spinners (known as 'spent' flies). When fishing in the evening it's always worth having some Sherry Spinners in your fly box!

 

Olive Dry Fly - Top Tips

Olive patterns are best used from 11am until around 4pm, as this is when the flies are at their most active. These 'Secret' Olive patterns flies are deadly in this size (16) just after lunch!

When fishing with a Olive pattern, it's always worth giving it a little twitch every now and then if you are not getting attention from the fish. When you watch the naturals, their movement can be very haphazard on the water. Keep this in mind when covering rising fish.

Take advantage of the Low Water

If you are a keen Grayling angler, then now is the time to survey the river you fish.

If you regularly fish the same stretch for Grayling, now is your best chance, whilst the river bed is exposed, to take a look and note where the contours, deep holes and drop-offs are, and spot the likely fish holding places. This information will come in really useful when the water levels rise again and when the Grayling season starts in anger.

 

Tight lines & have a great weekend.