Olsen's Blowtorch Nymph - Fly Tying Instructions by Charlie Craven

Fly Tying Recipe:
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Hook: #10-16 Umpqua C-400, Hanak 400BL, or Umpqua XT500 BN 60-degree jig hook
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Bead: 3 mm slotted copper tungsten
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Weight: .015" lead wire
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Thread: Hot orange 14/0 Veevus
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Tail: Glo-Brite Floss, Fire Orange #5
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Ribbing: Mirage Flashabou
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Counterrib: 5X tippet material
Body: Black peacock Ice Dub
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Collar: Natural Dun CDC feather
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Devin Olsen is a self-described “obsessed” fly fisher. His official indoctrination into the sport came on the banks of Slough Creek at age 9 when he caught a cutthroat on an ant pattern, and completely ruined his life. In the days since, Olsen has established a stellar reputation as a competitive fly fisher. He made it onto Fly fishing Team USA in 2006, and humbly credits these competitions with his rapid advance through the sport.
I recently spoke with him in a casual phone conversation and was immediately put at ease by his easygoing demeanor and obvious mastery of the fly-fishing game. Like many of his teammates, Olsen has every right to be one of those cocky young anglers, because he has the skill set to back it up-but you would never know it from talking to him. Actually, all the competitive anglers I have met are excellent stewards of the sport. They are humble, helpful, and immensely competent. Devin Olsen is no different.
Once we’d gotten through the formalities and introductions, as well as a little background on this fly pattern, I asked Olsen about the attraction of competitive fly fishing. From my own limited point of view, competitive fly fishing just isn’t for me-I am far too anxious and egotistical for this sort of thing. But I have always wondered why anyone would want to get into this arena. Olsen’s answer was a shining beam of light for me. He explained all the benefits of competitive fly fishing, and cited the opportunities to travel all around the world, fish varied waters, and learn a huge range of new fishing techniques from other like-minded anglers across the globe. The overwhelming takeaway I got from talking with Olsen was that the competitions were fun, and the camaraderie was the best part. I guess I have been looking at this whole thing all wrong (what a surprise).
Olsen beamed with pride when he told me he has an open invitation to fish across the globe with world-class anglers, and he reciprocates with invitations to them. He considers it an opportunity to show off our fishing here in the U.S.A.
So rather than a secretive bunch of fly fishers trying to outdo the others, the competitive fly-fishing scene seems to be far more open, and the competitors eagerly share their techniques and patterns. It is something a lot of us old guys could take a lesson from.
The Blowtorch is Olsen’s derivative of a pattern shown to him by Czech competitor Michael Adamcik. The Czech version called a Tag Nymph features a short hot spot tail, peacock body, and soft hen hackle collar. Of course, like any self-respecting tier, Olsen had to tweak it a bit and make it his own-a heavy, jigged nymph with dual hot spots and an undulating CDC collar separated by a durable Ice Dub body with a flashy rib.
While I have studied the commercial versions of Olsen’s patterns, I always find it prudent to ask for tying tips from the originator whenever I have the opportunity. Olsen gracefully offered that most folks overdress this fly, and cautioned to be Spartan with the materials-a suggestion that does not surprise me at all. Competitive fly fishers favor “bare essence” style flies with nothing frivolous. Everything serves a purpose.
While I have studied the commercial versions of Olsen’s patterns, I always find it prudent to ask for tying tips from the originator whenever I have the opportunity. Olsen gracefully offered that most folks overdress this fly, and cautioned to be Spartan with the materials-a suggestion that does not surprise me at all. Competitive fly fishers favor “bare essence” style flies with nothing frivolous. Everything serves a purpose.
Olsen fishes the Blowtorch by itself or on the point of a two-fly Euro nymph rig with the dropper tag fly about 20 inches above. He uses the thinnest tippet he can get away with to increase sink rate and decrease drag. He is adamant that the Blowtorch is a great dropper pattern under a dry, an endorsement I can confirm.
The Blowtorch is an easy pattern to tie, and the color variations are at your whim. This is a no-brainer to add to your fly box and is a proven pattern around the world.

[@brianfeeney9493]

PS …. The accompanying text regarding the Patterns Originator was Exceptional Charlie. Thank You for taking the time to personalize your post with this information. The TRUE Fly Fishing world is Full of Amazingly Wonderful Individuals! ✨🎣💫

[@brianfeeney9493]

Thank YOU 😊 C.C. for continued tutelage regarding “ Git - Fish “ patterns !! The Technique Advancement is Always appreciated. These NW Michigan Trout will have the opportunity to sample YOUR Style this Season !!! I appreciate Your time and teaching KING 👑 CRAVEN !!!!! ✨🎣💫

[@leonardwells9613]

FIVE STAR little trick for the resin and a GREAT pattern to boot, sweet tie, thanks on every level. L 👍🎣👍

[@kevinmorris1965]

great job. i picked up a couple of cool tricks watching this.

[@michaelcarter5345]

Great video! As always, Charlie is an excellent instructor!

[@pheasanttales7607]

Great tip with the resin Charlie!!

[@debpaskall]

Fantastic instructions and great resin tip. Thank you Charlie.

[@joeg5414]

I'm definitely using the thread to apply resin technique! Dunno why I didn't think of that. Thank you, I've been trying all kinds of stuff to make less of a mess and get nicer looking heads😂

[@varmintassassins8924]

sweet tip! I've seen this fly a lot, but never seen that trick on it.

[@mikeney5113]

Nice techniques on the collar.thanks for sharing

[@joeg5414]

Yeah I think I like this way more than the dubbing loop way

[@hankvana2149]

Nice one Charlie! Like the way you apply the resin to the whip-finish. I've been using a "nail art pen" I got from my daughter, they come in a variety of colors and are great for applying micro-dots of lacquer to the threads. Cheers!

[@jedicazador]

Very nice appreciate the Uv resin on the thread trick

[@chrisbukowski9434]

Nice 👍

[@alexargyros7186]

Thanks, Charlie. I love the resin-on-thread technique. I was curious about why you don't Euro nymph much? Is it that you find other methods more effective for the waters you fish, or is that you don't like that style of fishing?

[@JamesDDubiszCPA]

So Charlie, I have been tying flies for 40 years and I just realized recently as a right handed tyer I should apply dubbing to the thread in a clockwise direction so it it tightens on itself when wound on the hook. Do you have to apply dubbing in a counterclockwise fashion as a left handed tyer?

[@cachi-7878]

Nice fly, Charlie.I’m not into that Euro nymphing either. I know it’s super effective but it does not appeal to me at all.

[@danjohnson6292]

Charlie, never tied with beads before but would like to try a few patterns. Should you be matching the bead to the hook size or should you match the bead to the depth you want to fish. Is there some formula or just trial and error?

[@tinoyb9294]

Proof that trout are stupid?