How to Tie a Spring Olive Comparadun by Davie McPhail

The Olive Comparadun is a great early season Trout Fly. Originally attributed to Al Caucci and Bob Nastasi who introduced the Comparadun style of dry in the early 70's this dry fly features a very simple and durable design as it only requires 3 different materials to create. The materials used, however, allow the fly to float effortlessly on the water. With hair wings splayed on top of the hook and an outrigger tail it offers stability and floation as well as a similar footprint to that of a Mayfly, but with a few differences, such as the 180 degrees spanned wing which gives it an easy-to-see profile, allowing any hungry Trout to spot it and go for a strike.

All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie the Spring Olive Comparadun Fly, with the guidance of Davie McPhail.




Materials Used:
Thread: Uni-8/0 Yellow Tail: Coq de Leon Fibres Body: Dyed Yellow Peacock Quill Wing: Roe Or Comparadun Deer Hair Thorax: Natural Grey CDC Dubbing

Additional materials: Additionally, Davie made use of Varnish, which he applied to the thread after completing the fly.

Davie's preferred type of whip finish tool can be found HERE!