Light Olive Mallard Flank

Light Olive Mallard Flank Feathers

Light olive lives in two worlds. On a trout river, it’s the color of a green caddis pupa clawing its way to the surface. On a bonefish flat, it’s the color of a grass shrimp hiding in turtle grass. Same feather, two fisheries, and the barring sells both. This is one of the colors I’d grab first if the bench burned down.

What you get: About 60 feathers in a 2 gram bag, mixed sizes. Sorted by hand so you don’t get the junk.

Recipe 1: Light Olive Caddis Pupa

• Hook: Scud/pupa hook, #12–#16
• Bead: Gold or copper bead, sized to hook
• Thread: Olive 8/0
• Abdomen: Light olive Antron or caddis dubbing, ribbed with fine copper wire
• Legs: Light olive mallard flank fibers, swept back to the hook point
• Antennae: Two light olive mallard flank fibers, swept back past the bend
• Collar: Dark brown hare’s ear dubbing behind the bead

How to fish it: Fish it on a tight-line nymph rig through riffles in the evening. At the end of the drift, let it swing up and hang. That rise imitates the pupa heading for the surface, and it’s where most of the hits come. Hold on.

Recipe 2: Light Olive Grass Shrimp (bonefish)

• Hook: Saltwater hook, #4–#6, tied inverted
• Thread: Tan 6/0
• Eyes: Small bead chain or light lead eyes, tied on top of the shank
• Antennae: Two light olive mallard flank fibers plus 2 strands of pearl Krystal Flash
• Legs: Light olive mallard flank fibers, tied in a beard under the eyes
• Body: Light olive Ice Dub, brushed out
• Wing: Tan craft fur, short, with a few light olive flank fibers on top

How to fish it: Lead the fish by 3–4 feet and let it sink to the bottom. When the fish gets close, give it two short 6-inch strips and stop. Shrimp flee, then hide. If the fish tips down, keep stripping slow until you feel weight, then strip-set. Do not trout-set. I’ll know.