Fly of the Month: Devin Olsen’s Blowtorch

April 2026 Fly of the Month Submitted by Jiwon Han

My first fly fishing trip to Clear Creek was a bust. The water was turbulent and the fish were nowhere to be found. Determined for redemption, I went to the good folks at Mad River Outfitters and Ryan Ratliff recommended the Blowtorch. Using the fly, I was able to land my very first Clear Creek Rainbow! The Blowtorch continues to be one of my go to flies.

After losing many a fly to the tree gods, I decided that it was time to take matters into my own hands and learn how to tie this highly effective and relatively easy-to-tie fly.

Recipe:

Thread: Fluorescent Orange (UTC 70)

Hook: Jig Hook #16

Bead: Slotted Tungsten 3mm

Rib: Wire - Silver

Tag: Silk Floss - Light Orange

Body: Dubbing - Peacock Green or equivalent 

Collar: CDC - Gray Olive

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Put the tungsten bead on the hook, small opening first. Using your vice makes it easier!

Step 2

Wrap the hook shank with the Fluorescent Orange thread, starting from the bead, then towards the bend of the hook.

Step 3

Tie in the silk floss toward the bend of the hook and wrap to secure. The excess material will be trimmed off later to create a short tail.

Step 4

Tie in wire from the bead to the bend of the hook. This wire will be counter wrapped later to secure the dubbing and create segmentation. Make sure you have enough wire to create these wraps.

To help secure the dubbing, I like to use dubbing wax. Apply some to your thread.

Step 5

Create a dubbing noodle using your Peacock Green or equivalent dubbing.

Step 6

Wrap your dubbing up the hook shank creating a tapered body. The loose fibers will make the fly look extra buggy, so don't worry about making it perfect!

Step 7

Counter wrap the wire.

Sorry about the out of focus picture….

Step 8

Trim off the excess floss material to create a short little tail for the hot spot!

We’re almost done!

Step 9

To make it extra buggy, we will add a CDC collar. Wrap the thin side of the feather using your thread. Try to be careful not to break the feather. CDC can be quite delicate, but make sure it is also secured.

Step 10

Wrap the CDC toward the bead and secure it with your thread. These thread wraps will also create a hot spot on the fly.

Step 11

Whip Finish!

I like to add some head cement to secure the collar.

Step 12

Trim off the excess feathers and you're done!