Summary
Blue Winged Olive dry flies imitate small mayflies commonly associated with the Baetis group, an important food source for trout during spring, fall and other suitable hatch conditions.
Their slender olive bodies, grayish wings and delicate surface presentation make them particularly useful when trout are feeding selectively on emerging or adult mayflies.
The
from Deep Blue Fishing Supplies come in a five-piece, size 16 set with hand-tied construction, realistic wings, an olive body and a storage box. They are designed for surface presentations targeting brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout.
This guide explains how to recognize Blue Winged Olive hatches, choose appropriate fly patterns, improve your presentation and understand when a size 16 dry fly belongs in your fly box.
Introduction: Why Blue Winged Olive Flies Matter
Picture yourself standing beside a clear trout stream on a cool, cloudy afternoon.
The water is flowing steadily, the air is comfortable and occasional rings begin appearing across a quiet pool.
At first, you might assume the trout are feeding randomly. Look closer, however, and you may notice tiny olive-bodied insects drifting downstream with delicate gray wings.
A Blue Winged Olive hatch has begun.
These small mayflies can create some of the most interesting dry-fly fishing opportunities of the season. They can also produce some of the most frustrating refusals.
When trout concentrate on a particular insect, they may ignore flies that appear perfectly acceptable under other conditions. Size, silhouette, position in the surface film and presentation all become important.
This is where understanding Blue Winged Olive fly fishing makes a difference.
Instead of repeatedly changing flies without a plan, you can identify the insects trout are eating, select an appropriate imitation and present it naturally.
A well-chosen Blue Winged Olive dry fly is useful because it imitates a recognizable food source rather than relying on exaggerated movement or attraction.
For anglers building a trout fly collection, learning to fish this pattern is an excellent way to develop observation, casting accuracy and hatch-matching skills.
Why Trout Become Selective During Mayfly Hatches
Trout are opportunistic feeders, but their behavior changes when a particular food source becomes abundant.
During a substantial mayfly hatch, trout may position themselves where insects drift past with minimal effort.
Instead of chasing individual prey, they can feed repeatedly on insects moving along the same current seams.
Understanding the Blue Winged Olive
The term Blue Winged Olive, often abbreviated BWO, describes several similar small mayflies rather than one single species.
Many belong to the Baetis group, although the name is also used for related mayflies in fly-fishing terminology.
Their appearance varies according to species, location and life stage.
Common characteristics include slender olive or brownish bodies and gray to bluish-gray wings.
These insects are particularly familiar to trout anglers because they can hatch under cool, cloudy conditions when other aquatic insects are less active.
Why fly size matters
During a concentrated hatch, trout may repeatedly encounter insects of approximately the same size.
A noticeably oversized artificial fly can appear out of place.
A size 16 Blue Winged Olive is a useful general-purpose choice, although natural insects can be smaller or larger.
When trout repeatedly refuse your fly, compare it with the actual insects on the water before assuming that the pattern itself is ineffective.
The importance of natural drift
An artificial dry fly should generally move at approximately the same speed as the surrounding current.
When the fly line or leader pulls the imitation unnaturally across the surface, anglers call this drag.
Even a realistic fly may be refused when it moves differently from the natural insects around it.
Learning to manage drag is therefore just as important as choosing the correct pattern.
Blue Winged Olive Fly Fishing: Solutions for Difficult Hatches
When trout are rising but refusing your fly, the problem usually involves one or more elements of your presentation.
Understanding the available solutions can save considerable time on the water.
Traditional Blue Winged Olive dry flies
These imitate adult mayflies resting on the surface. Their upright wings and slender bodies create a recognizable silhouette, making them useful when trout are visibly taking adult insects.
BWO emerger patterns
Emergers imitate mayflies transitioning from their underwater nymph stage into winged adults. They are worth trying when trout are feeding just beneath the surface rather than taking fully emerged insects.
Baetis nymph patterns
Nymphs imitate the immature aquatic stage. They are useful before a hatch, when trout are feeding underwater, or when no consistent surface activity is visible.
Spent spinner patterns
These imitate adult mayflies that have returned to the water after mating. Their outstretched wings and low profile can be useful when trout are feeding on insects lying flat on the surface.An effective fly box contains several life-stage imitations rather than relying on one pattern for every situation.
However, when trout are clearly taking adult Blue Winged Olives, a traditional dry fly is a logical starting point.
Why the Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies Are a Practical Choice
Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies – 5-Pack, Size 16
Available from Deep Blue Fishing Supplies
The Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies are designed to imitate adult Baetis mayflies during trout hatches. Their construction combines an olive body, realistic wings, durable tying materials and a high-floating dry-fly profile.
🎣 Shop Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies
A realistic Baetis mayfly imitation
The pattern's slender olive body and realistic wing construction are intended to reproduce the general appearance of a natural Blue Winged Olive.
These details become especially relevant when fishing clear water, slow-moving pools or heavily pressured trout streams.
Rather than relying on a large, highly visible attractor pattern, the Contemplator BWO is designed around the appearance of an insect trout already recognize.
Size 16 for versatile hatch matching
The size 16 hook provides a useful middle ground for many Blue Winged Olive fishing situations.
It is large enough for many anglers to handle comfortably while remaining small enough to imitate a range of natural mayflies.
That doesn't mean size 16 is appropriate for every hatch. Carrying additional sizes is helpful when the natural insects differ substantially.
Hand-tied construction and buoyancy
According to the product specifications, the flies feature premium hand-tied construction, durable thread and realistic wings.
Their high-floating design is intended to maintain a convincing surface presentation.
Like other dry flies, they may require drying or suitable floatant during extended fishing sessions, depending on their materials and water conditions.
Five flies and a storage box
The set includes five Blue Winged Olive dry flies and a storage box.
Having several identical patterns is useful when a fly becomes damaged, tangled in vegetation or lost during a fishing session.
It also allows you to maintain the same imitation when a particular size and silhouette are producing consistent interest from trout.
Designed for different trout waters
The product is intended for rivers, streams, tailwaters and still waters, targeting brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout.
Its suitability for a particular fishing session depends on the insects present and the feeding behavior of local trout.
Real-World Use Cases: Where and When to Fish Blue Winged Olives
Spring trout fishing
Blue Winged Olive activity can provide dry-fly opportunities during cool spring weather. Watch for emerging insects and repeated surface rises, particularly in slower water adjoining current seams.
Fall mayfly hatches
Autumn is another important period for Blue Winged Olive fishing in many trout waters. Cooler temperatures and suitable weather can produce feeding opportunities even when other insect activity is limited.
Technical tailwater fishing
Trout in clear, heavily fished tailwaters can become selective. A realistic BWO pattern, fine leader and careful drag management are useful when fish concentrate on small mayflies.
Stillwater trout fishing
Blue Winged Olive patterns can also be useful on lakes and ponds when similar mayflies are present. Look for feeding trout near sheltered shorelines and areas where insects collect on the surface.The presence of a hatch matters more than the calendar alone. Local water temperature, weather, elevation and insect species all influence when Blue Winged Olives appear.
7. Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies vs. Other Trout Fly Patterns
Different patterns imitate different insects or stages of aquatic insect development.
|
Fly pattern |
Primary imitation |
Typical presentation |
Useful situation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Blue Winged Olive dry fly |
Adult olive mayfly |
Surface drift |
Trout taking adult BWOs |
|
Parachute Adams |
General mayfly profile |
Surface drift |
Mixed or uncertain mayfly activity |
|
BWO emerger |
Emerging mayfly |
In or near surface film |
Trout feeding on emerging insects |
|
Baetis nymph |
Immature mayfly |
Subsurface drift |
Before hatches or during underwater feeding |
|
BWO spinner |
Spent adult mayfly |
Low surface profile |
Trout taking fallen adult insects |
The Contemplator pattern is particularly relevant when adult Blue Winged Olives are present and trout are feeding at the surface.
A Parachute Adams may provide a more general imitation, while an emerger or nymph may be appropriate when trout are taking insects below the surface.
The most useful approach is to observe the water before selecting a pattern.
Expert Tips: How to Fish Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies
1. Observe the water before casting.
Look for rising trout, drifting insects and the locations where feeding activity is concentrated. Identifying the actual insects on the water is more useful than choosing a fly solely because it worked on a previous trip.
2. Match the natural insect size.
Compare your artificial fly with the mayflies present. Size 16 is a versatile starting point, but smaller patterns may be necessary when trout are feeding on tiny insects.
3. Prioritize a drag-free drift.
Cast upstream or across the current and allow the fly to drift naturally toward feeding trout. Use appropriate line management to prevent the leader from pulling the fly unnaturally.
4. Use a suitable leader and tippet.
Small dry flies generally benefit from a fine, supple leader and tippet. Select a breaking strength appropriate for the trout, water conditions and equipment you're using.
5. Target individual feeding lanes.
Instead of casting repeatedly across an entire pool, identify where a particular trout is rising. Present the fly upstream of that location and allow it to drift naturally into the feeding lane.
6. Maintain your dry fly.
Remove excess moisture after catching a fish or retrieving a waterlogged fly. Apply a compatible dry-fly treatment when appropriate, following the product's instructions.
7. Change your approach when trout refuse the fly.
Repeated refusals may indicate that your fly is too large, your drift is unnatural or trout are feeding on a different mayfly life stage. Make one adjustment at a time so you can identify what improves your presentation.
8. Protect the fishery.
Follow local fishing regulations, handle trout carefully and minimize their time out of the water when practicing catch-and-release fishing. Avoid fishing when water temperatures create unsafe conditions for trout.
Fly-fishing takeaway
A realistic fly is only one part of successful hatch matching. Accurate observation, appropriate fly size and natural presentation often determine whether a rising trout accepts your imitation.
Where to Buy Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies
The Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies are available from Deep Blue Fishing Supplies.
Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies
5-Pack • Size 16 • Storage Box Included
A practical addition to a trout fly collection for anglers fishing spring and fall mayfly hatches.
The five-piece set provides multiple copies of the same pattern, making it convenient to replace damaged or lost flies without changing your presentation.
For additional equipment, explore the store's
About Deep Blue Fishing Supplies
is an online fishing store offering freshwater, saltwater and fly-fishing equipment.
Its product range includes fishing rods, reels, lines, lures, tackle and accessories for anglers with different experience levels.
The Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies form part of the store's fishing lure selection, offering trout anglers a specialized pattern for matching small mayfly hatches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Winged Olive Flies
1. What is a Blue Winged Olive dry fly?
A Blue Winged Olive dry fly is an artificial fishing fly designed to imitate small adult mayflies, particularly those associated with the Baetis group. Anglers use these patterns when trout feed on mayflies at the water's surface.2. What size Blue Winged Olive fly should I use?
Size 16 is a versatile starting point for many BWO hatches. However, the appropriate size depends on the natural insects present. Carrying several sizes allows you to adjust when trout become selective.3. When is the best time to fish Blue Winged Olives?
Spring and fall are important BWO fishing periods in many trout waters. Cool, cloudy conditions can produce productive hatches, although local insect species and water conditions determine the actual timing.4. Are Blue Winged Olive flies suitable for beginners?
Yes. They provide an excellent opportunity to learn insect identification, hatch matching and drag-free dry-fly presentation. Beginners can start with a size 16 pattern and practice casting to visible feeding lanes.5. Can Blue Winged Olive dry flies catch different trout species?
Yes. Brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout all feed on mayflies when they are available. The Contemplator pattern is marketed for these four trout species.6. What is included in the Contemplator Blue Winged Olive set?
The product includes five hand-tied Blue Winged Olive dry flies in size 16 and a storage box. The flies feature olive bodies, realistic wings and a floating dry-fly design.7. What should I do if trout keep refusing my BWO dry fly?
First, check whether your fly matches the natural insect size and whether it is drifting without drag. If refusals continue, consider changing your presentation or switching to an emerger or another appropriate life-stage imitation.Conclusion: Build Confidence During Blue Winged Olive Hatches
Blue Winged Olive fly fishing rewards anglers who pay attention to the details.
Recognizing a hatch, identifying the insects trout are eating and presenting an appropriate imitation can turn a difficult afternoon into a rewarding fishing experience.
The Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies offer a practical size 16 imitation with realistic wings, an olive body and hand-tied construction.
With five flies and a storage box included, the set provides a convenient addition to a trout fly collection.
Whether you're preparing for spring mayfly activity, exploring a new tailwater or improving your dry-fly technique, understanding how to fish Blue Winged Olives will help you make more informed decisions on the water.
Ready to Match the Hatch?
Explore the Contemplator Blue Winged Olive Dry Flies from Deep Blue Fishing Supplies.
Leave a comment