In this week’s “How to Tie” feature, Tiesflies shows us an easy nymph that tyers of any skill level can master in minutes, Olsen’s Doppelganger.
Learn How to Tie This Fly:
Difficulty: Easy
We have reached peak fall in most places and with this season comes many happy anglers employing a myriad of styles to entice our aquatic friends. From streamers to dry flies, you’ll find willing fish by nearly any method used. One of the more popular ways to target trout today is through tightline nymphing, also referred to as Euro nymphing. These patterns are typically tied with slim profiles and substantial weight to reach feeding trout quickly in moving water. Devin Olsen’s Doppelganger does just that and has earned a solid reputation among tactical anglers through its productivity and durability while fishing for trout.
By trading natural materials for synthetics, you create a durable weighted bug that will sink quick and hold up even after several fish. When it comes to durability in euro nymphs, you want ones that can get dragged over rocks, logs, and debris on the bottom as you search for the right depth the trout are feeding at. This is the perfect pattern for novice tyers who are looking to practice with simple nymphs, as there is little room for error due to the few materials and simplicity of techniques needed. Olsen’s Doppelganger is a quick tie that balances synthetic flash with organic texture, making it an essential addition to any technical nymph box this fall.
To fish this fly effectively, deploy it on a tightline or euro nymphing rig where its heavy bead can quickly plummet into the strike zone. Lead the fly through deep pockets and along the bottom structure of fast riffles, keeping your rod tip high and a taut sighter line to detect the slightest hesitation. Because it rides hook-point-up to minimize snags, don’t be afraid to let it tick along the gravel beds where trout actively feed on drifting nymphs. Many flies will produce fish this time of year, but Olsen’s Doppelganger’s versatility and durability are two reasons to add it into your nymph rig rotation.
Ingredients:
- Hook: Fulling Mill 5125 – Size 18
- Bead: Saluda Beads
- Thread: 30D GSP
- Hot Spot Thread: Fulling Mill 110D Floss
- Tail: Coq De Leon
- Body: Peacock Herl Chenille
- Thorax: Fulling Mill Euro Nymph Body – Light Hares Ear
- Tools: TheFlySmith
Now you know how to tie Olsen’s Doppelganger!
Video courtesy of Tiesflies.
