Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a proven approach to imitating Baetis nymphs, one of the most important food sources for trout throughout the year. The pattern uses readily available materials to create an effective imitation. The hare's mask dubbing provides the perfect buggy texture that mimics the natural appearance of mayfly nymphs, while the partridge fibers create realistic tails and legs with natural movement. The Tyvek wingcase is a key innovation - this synthetic material from shipping envelopes is waterproof, durable, and creates a realistic wingcase appearance. The copper wire ribbing adds segmentation and durability to the body.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- BWO nymphs crawl actively across cobble substrate before releasing into drift when disturbed, tumbling naturally with bottom currents. Trout consume Baetis eagerly because these adaptable mayflies emerge during cool weather when other food diminishes.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Fish intercept drifting nymphs near bottom during non-hatch periods, or suspended mid-column when emergence begins. Tailwaters and spring creeks concentrate Baetis populations in riffles, runs, and slower pools.
- How to Fish It
- Dead drift near bottom during non-hatch periods, or suspended mid-column when trout feed on emerging nymphs. Tight-line or indicator setups adapt to changing feeding depths.
- Best Water
- Focus on runs with consistent current for drifting nymphs, pools where trout inspect offerings, and riffles where Baetis naturally release into drift.
- Strike Type
- Indicator dips, hesitations, or unnatural movements against current signal subtle takes requiring quick but gentle sets.
Fishing strategy
- Rigging Suggestions
- Fish on a tight-line euro rig or under an indicator. Works well as a dropper behind a larger attractor nymph or as a point fly when fish are focused on small mayflies. Use 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet for best results.
- Seasonal Timing
- Effective year-round but particularly productive during, and when BWO hatches are prevalent. Baetis are one of the few mayflies that hatch during cold weather, making this pattern essential for fishing.
- Pro Tips
- This is a subsurface pattern designed to drift near the bottom or in the water column. The brown olive coloration matches natural Baetis nymphs while the Tyvek wingcase provides subtle contrast that fish key.
Where to fish it
Rivers anglers pair with this fly, with local shops that stock it.
River details and fly shops from River & Run, our sister site.
Entomology
BWO nymphs crawl actively across cobble substrate and frequently release into the drift when disturbed, tumbling naturally with bottom currents. Trout consume Baetis nymphs eagerly because these adaptable mayflies emerge in cool weather when other food sources diminish, providing reliable sustenance.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Family
- Baetidae
- Common name
- Blue-Winged Olive
- Organism
- insect
- Life stage
- general
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- dead-drift
- indicator-nymph
- baetis-hatch
- modern
- attractor
- searching-pattern
- low-clear-water
- tailwater
- spring-creek