Don't look SalmonTackler, Olive Willy info to follow...

DanO, The Olive Willy is a local pattern developed by William Servey in the 60's and designed for lake fishing. It's very similar to the Carey Special, with a spot of red. It was featured in the Spring '99 volume of Flyfishing and Tying Journal in an article by Deke Meyer titled "25 Hot Streamers for 1999". The recipe published there is as follows:

Hook: TMC5263, #8/12 or TMC300 #6
Thread: 6/0 black
Tail: Fluff from base of pheasant rump feather dyed yellow (one half shanklength)
Body: Medium olive chenille
Wing: Red rabbit fur, guard hairs remove(one half shank length)
Hackle: Pheasant rump feather dyed yellow (extends to tip of tail)

William introduced me to this fly several years ago when I stopped by a local fly shop to pick up supplies. In addition to the above, another variant he has is to use a red rocheille beadhead(the kind that has gold painted in the middle to make them more sparkly--you can find them at most craft stores) instead of the fur; it makes things alot easier to just buy the red Zonker strips for the fur, that way all you have to do is pinch off what you need. I think the beadhead version is used on overcast days. The chenille is a dark olive color, medium size.

As an aside, I've tied this on a TMC5263 #12 hook and substituted a med. olive new-age sparkle chenille and added both the red fur and bead head. When everything the guide told me to use failed on a section of the Clark Fork last September, I tied this on and caught one of the most beautiful cutthroats I had ever seen. Unfortunately, I lost that one fly when I got snagged on a branch. Haven't tried it out here yet. Guess all you need to do is add a bit more flash and then it can be used in the rivers too!

Probably told you more than you really wanted to know, but now you've got the complete story.

flygirl



[This message has been edited by Flygirl (edited 08-31-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Flygirl (edited 08-31-2000).]