When does the Western Blue-Winged Olive hatch?

March–November, typically 11:00–15:00 (overcast best). It starts from about 6°C, peaks around 11°C and tails off by 16°C.

What flies imitate the Western Blue-Winged Olive?

BWO Sparkle Dun, RS2, WD-40, Adams Parachute, typically on a #18–16 hook.

How big is the Western Blue-Winged Olive?

Spinner stage: 5–8mm. That matches a #18–16 hook.

Mayfly · Aquatic insect

Western Blue-Winged Olive

Baetis tricaudatus

Size

5–8mm

Hook size

#18–16

Hatch window

Season March–NovemberPeak time 11:00–15:00 (overcast best)

Water temperature

11° peak

6°16°

How fish feed on it

Baetis females crawl underwater down stones to lay, which is why a sunk or flush spinner catches when a high-riding one gets refused. Fish it in the film without floatant.

Flies that imitate this

BWO Sparkle Dun

RS2

WD-40

Adams Parachute

Ecology

Rivers & stillwaterTailwatersChalk streamsTolerates poor water

Where you'll find this

North America — WestPresent

Present throughout

Identification

Baetis tricaudatus is a species of small minnow mayfly in the family Baetidae. It is found in Central America and North America. In North America its range includes all of Canada, all of Mexico, and the continental United States and Alaska.

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