Paul's April 2026 Fly of the Month

 Paul's Olive Ostrich Emerger

Hook:  TMC 2488H in Sizes #18-#22 or curved emerger hook of choice.

Thread:  8/0 Olive. 

Body:  Olive Thread.

Rib:  Strand of Peacock Krystal Flash.

Thorax:  Wraps of Peacock Krystal Flash.

UV Resin:  Solarez Bone Dry

Collar/Hackle:  2-3 wraps of Grey Ostrich Herl.

Do not be misled by photographs of this pattern---these flies are small.  While some anglers prefer not to tie or fish small flies, doing so can significantly improve success during certain conditions, particularly on Connecticut waters.  There are only 3 materials that comprise this fly.  It makes tying a small pattern like this a lot easier.  If you have problems fishing small flies, fish this one under an indicator or what I usually do, as a dropper fly under a dry.

I developed this fly stealing from other small olive emerger patterns.  One of the great things about fly tying is taking your experiences on the water and incorporating them into your flies.  Experiment, see what works for you.  Test out your creations on the rivers and streams.  That’s how this fly came about for me.

To tie this fly start your thread behind the eye.  Lay down a layer of thread deep down the bend of the hook.  Bring your thread back up an eye length behind the eye.  Tie in your strand of Peacock Krystal flash and wrap down to the bend/end of your thread body.  Bring your thread 2/3rds back up the hook shank leaving room for your thorax. 

Rib the body of the fly using open spiral wraps with your Peacock Krystal Flash.  Tie it off but do not cut off the excess ribbing material.  Advance your thread an eye length forward.  With the Krystal Flash, make touching wraps to build up and create a Thorax on the fly.  Remember to leave room for your Ostrich Collar.  Next, coat the body & thorax with Solarez Bone Dry and cure it.  Try not to over saturate the fly when applying the resin.

Tie in the Grey Ostrich Herl behind the hook eye.  Make 2 wraps with your Ostrich, tie it off and cut off the butt end.  Whip finish your fly and it’s done.

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of The Month I can be reached at pdinice@frontier.com .