The Blue-winged Olive is one of the UK's most important summer upwinged flies and is a hatch that every river angler should understand. Rather than appearing in a short, spectacular burst like the Mayfly, Blue-winged Olives hatch consistently throughout much of the trout season, providing dependable sport from late spring well into early autumn. On many rivers they become the bread-and-butter hatch of the summer months, particularly on chalkstreams and slower freestone rivers.
The name Blue-winged Olive actually covers several closely related olive species that are extremely similar in appearance. For the fly angler there is rarely any need to distinguish between them, as trout readily accept well-presented imitative patterns that match the general size, colour and behaviour of the natural insects.
The nymphs are active swimmers that live amongst weed, gravel and stones before rising through the water column to hatch. Unlike some larger upwinged flies, Blue-winged Olive hatches can continue for several hours and often occur over consecutive days, providing trout with a reliable source of food throughout the summer.
One of the great attractions of this hatch is its consistency. Even when there are few obvious insects on the water, careful observation often reveals small olives drifting downstream. Trout may rise quietly and confidently, sometimes with only the slightest dimple on the surface. Accurate presentation is therefore far more important than simply casting repeatedly over rising fish.
Nymphs continue to catch fish before the hatch begins, while emerger patterns often prove irresistible as insects struggle through the surface film. Once trout are feeding confidently on adult duns, a drag-free drift with a well-presented dry fly will account for many fish. Unlike the Mayfly hatch, where trout often become reckless, Blue-winged Olive fishing usually rewards finesse, fine leaders and careful presentation.
At Peaks Fly Fishing, Blue-winged Olives are one of our favourite hatches because they produce consistent fishing throughout the summer rather than just a few memorable days. If we arrive at a river and cannot immediately identify what trout are feeding on, an olive imitation is often one of the first flies we tie on. Time after time it proves to be the right decision.
## Recommended Fly Patterns
### Nymphs
* Pheasant Tail Nymph
* Olive Copperhead Nymph
* Pheast Tail Hares Ear Nymph
### Emergers
* Olive Klinkhammer Emerger
* Deer Hair Emerger
### Duns
* Blue-winged Olive
* Blue-winged Olive CDC
* Olive Dun
* Parachute Adams
### Spinner
* Sherry Spinner
### Alternatives
* F-Fly
* Kite's Imperial
* CDC Olive
## Peaks Fly Fishing Tips
* Don't expect explosive rises - many trout simply sip Blue-winged Olives from the surface.
* Watch for subtle rise forms and drifting naturals before choosing your fly.
* Fine leaders and drag-free presentation usually outfish frequent fly changes.
* Fish nymphs before the hatch, emergers during the hatch and dry flies once trout are feeding confidently on adults.
* Carry olive patterns throughout the season - they are among the most consistently effective flies in any UK river fly box.
