Tying the Last Chance Cripple Baetis (Blue Winged Olive)

Rene Harrop's fly patterns were developed with an experienced eye for detail. Proven on the Henry's Fork, one of the most demanding trout fisheries in the country.

The Last Chance Cripple series are great patterns for selective fish. We use this Baetis version on our local tailwater with great success.

Tie in sizes 16-22 for a Baetis (aka Blue Winged Olive) Cripple.

The pattern is easily adapted to imitate other mayfly species.

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Last Chance Cripple Material List:

Hook: Daiichi 1100 or Tiemco 100 size 16 to 22

Thread: Tiemco 16/0

Shuck: Spirit River Sparkle Yarn, Darlon, or Z-Lon

Tail: Wood Duck or Mallard Dyed Wood Duck

Abdomen: Stripped Peacock Herl, Turkey Biots, or Thread and Wire

Wing: 2-3 matched CDC feathers

Thorax: Nature’s Spirit Fine Natural Dubbing, Nature’s Spirit Emergence Dubbing, or Wapsi Superfine Dubbing

Hackle: Dun Dry Fly Hackle

Tying the CDC Split Wing Sparkle Dun

Tying the CDC Split Wing Sparkle Dun

The name is a mouthful. Got to improve the fly naming skills. Well it works anyway.

Blue Winged Olives (aka Baetis) create superb early and late season hatches. This simple but effective take on the sparkle dun pattern features a split CDC wing. Fish this fly as fish begin to feed on the surface. Its fine if the fly hangs a bit in the film. This fly can even be tied on a curved shank emerger hook to fish as an emerger.