A high-floating attractor dry that excels in rough water and mixed light. The Olive Stimulator blends a buoyant hair wing with bushy, palmered hackle and a natural olive body to throw a bold stonefly/terrestrial profile that still reads “buggy and real” to selective trout.
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When it excels: Late spring through fall; cloudy or breezy afternoons; riffles, pocket water, foam lines, and cut banks
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Why it works: Hair wing and dense hackle keep it riding high and visible; the olive body looks natural (caddis/stonefly/leaf-bug vibe) while still popping in broken water
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Pack size: 3 flies
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Targets: Trout (rainbow, brown, brook); opportunistic river smallmouth
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Ready to fish: Durable tie with consistent proportions; floats a light dropper comfortably
How to fish it
Dead-drift across seams and pocket edges with short, accurate casts; add occasional skitters or micro-twitches to wake fish. Run as a dry-dropper with 16–24" of 4–5X to a small nymph or midge. Shorten leaders (7.5–9 ft) in tight, broken water for easier turnover, and step down tippet in ultra-clear conditions.
Care
Rinse after use and air-dry before boxing. Dress hair and hackle with gel/paste; revive after a dunk or fish with a powder/shake desiccant.
Satisfaction
30-day returns/exchanges.