Description

Product Overview and Heritage | Trout Nymph Fishing Fly Pattern

The Beadhead  WD 40 Olive fly represents a masterful evolution in subsurface  patterns, combining the innovative WD-40 design with a weighted beadhead and natural olive coloration. This specialized pattern, developed by guide Mark Engler, has proven to be one of the most versatile and effective midge patterns for both still and moving waters. The pattern’s name derives from its development as the 40th pattern in Engler’s “Western Development” series, while the olive coloration provides an excellent match for various aquatic insects.

Design Philosophy and Material Innovation

The pattern’s effectiveness stems from its carefully engineered components:

• Premium tungsten or brass bead
• Quality olive thread
• Precise thread body
• Exact proportions
• Durable construction
• UV-reactive materials
• Strategic weight distribution
• Enhanced profile design
• Advanced tying techniques
• Natural movement properties

Technical Specifications

Hook Characteristics:

• Standard curved nymph hook
• Available sizes: 16-22
• Light wire construction
• Standard-eye design
• Chemically sharpened points
• Wide gape configuration
• Bronze finish
• Optimal hook strength
• Enhanced penetration design
• Perfect size-to-weight ratio

Material Properties:

• Selected beadhead material
• Premium olive thread
• Minimal material list
• UV-reactive components
• Water-resistant treatments
• Enhanced durability features
• Quality synthetic materials
• Specialized body materials
• Color-fast properties
• Sink rate enhancement

Construction and Tying Process

The pattern’s success relies on precise construction methods:

• Balanced proportions
• Strategic bead placement
• Graduated body tapering
• Reinforced thread base
• Material integration
• Enhanced durability features
• Proper thread application
• Body segmentation
• Profile consistency
• Movement optimization

Fishing Applications and Techniques

Presentation Methods:

• Dead drift
• Swing presentations
• Multiple drift speeds
• Depth control
• Pattern suspension
• Drag-free drifts
• Current seam fishing
• Structure targeting
• Cross-current drifts
• Action variation

Specialized Applications:

• Deep pools
• Riffles
• Technical water
• High-pressure situations
• Structure fishing
• Pocket water
• Bank fishing
• Seam fishing
• Drop-offs
• Current breaks

Seasonal Effectiveness

Winter Performance:

• Prime midge season
• Cold water periods
• Peak activity
• Limited feeding windows
• Slow presentations
• Temperature considerations
• Pattern visibility
• Fish holding patterns
• Oxygen levels
• Light penetration

Spring Applications:

• Early season hatches
• Warming waters
• Initial feeding
• Water level variations
• Mixed techniques
• Weather changes
• Pattern selection
• Temperature increases
• Fish movement
• Feeding windows

Summer Strategy:

• Morning/evening fishing
• Deep water refuges
• Temperature changes
• Feeding patterns
• Oxygen levels
• Light penetration
• Fish behavior
• Water conditions
• Current seams
• Structure targeting

Fall Tactics:

• Pre-winter feeding
• Cooling waters
• Changed light conditions
• Transitional periods
• Selective takes
• Pattern visibility
• Fish location
• Temperature drops
• Migration patterns
• Feeding windows

Habitat and Water Types

Water Applications:

• Spring creeks
• Tailwaters
• Mountain streams
• Lakes and ponds
• Clear pools
• Structure areas
• Current seams
• Drop-offs
• Holding water
• Pocket water

Specialized Environments:

• Crystal clear waters
• Stained conditions
• Shallow riffles
• Deep runs
• Complex currents
• Bank structure
• Channel edges
• Boulder gardens
• Undercut banks
• Current breaks

Target Species and Behavior

Primary Species:

• Brown Trout
• Rainbow Trout
• Brook Trout
• Cutthroat Trout
• Grayling
• Whitefish
• Selective Trout
• Technical Water Species

Feeding Behaviors:

• Subsurface inspection
• Selective takes
• Pattern recognition
• Territorial behavior
• Opportunistic takes
• Selective feeding
• Strike triggers
• Visual stimulation
• Lateral line response
• Competitive feeding

Rigging Recommendations

Leader Setup:

• 9-12 foot leaders
• 6X-7X tippet
• Tapered leaders
• Fluorocarbon options
• Loop-to-loop connections
• Delicate presentation
• Proper stiffness
• Knot strength
• Breaking strain
• Abrasion resistance

Presentation Options:

• Single fly rigs
• Double nymph rigs
• Multiple fly systems
• Traditional methods
• Modern techniques
• Line matching
• Leader design
• Tippet selection
• Weight placement
• Depth control

Professional Applications

Guide Usage:

• Client-friendly pattern
• Proven success rates
• Visibility advantages
• Easy presentation
• Multiple techniques
• Teaching tool
• Confidence pattern
• Versatile applications
• Durability
• Hook-up ratio

Competition Usage:

• Tournament proven
• Technical water success
• Pressure adaptation
• Quick-change capability
• Consistent performance
• Depth control
• Pattern rotation
• Size variation
• Color selection
• Presentation options

Care and Maintenance

Post-Fishing Care:

• Thorough drying
• Material grooming
• Hook point inspection
• Bead security check
• Thread preservation
• Storage preparation
• UV protection
• Pattern inspection
• Material maintenance
• Shape verification

Storage Requirements:

• Dry environment
• UV protection
• Separate compartments
• Regular inspection
• Moisture prevention
• Temperature control
• Light protection
• Ventilation needs
• Box organization
• Inventory management

Advanced Fishing Methods

Presentation Techniques:

• Drift variations
• Depth control
• Strike detection
• Drift management
• Current reading
• Structure approach
• Pattern tracking
• Recovery methods
• Angle optimization
• Tension control

Water Reading:

• Current understanding
• Depth assessment
• Structure location
• Fish holding areas
• Presentation angles
• Feeding lanes
• Travel routes
• Rest areas
• Temperature breaks
• Current seams

Environmental Considerations

Conservation Features:

• Barbless options
• Sustainable materials
• Durable construction
• Catch-and-release friendly
• Minimal environmental impact
• Eco-conscious design
• Material selection
• Ethical considerations
• Resource protection
• Species conservation

Material Selection:

• Responsible sourcing
• Quality components
• Natural elements
• Ethical production
• Sustainable practices
• Environmental impact
• Material longevity
• Waste reduction
• Local materials
• Eco-conscious design

• The Beadhead WD 40 Olive Fly is one of the most productive nymphs for catching selective trout.

• Anglers rely on the Beadhead WD 40 Olive Fly in both clear and pressured waters.

• Our premium Beadhead WD 40 Olive Fly combines durability with realistic movement.