Having a cuppa with Noel Bennett recently and before the custard creams were opened his many fly boxes were taken from his fishing bag ( and boy has he a lot of flies probably more than Southside Angling) anyway as usual we went through them which one caught what and where, how it was tied and what materials and so on, It got me thinking of my favourite fly and it has to be the Golden Olive on a size 12, A traditional and simple fly,now I cannot say it has caught me many Hugh fish it hasn't but it certainly got me fish when all else failed, Last year Noel and myself were fishing Lough Derg at Mayfly time when we started all was perfect overcast, good wave, hatching mayfly just a matter of catching them but it wasn't so easy we went through the fly box wet's, emergers, dries, nymphs the lot but failed to get a fish until I put up the G/O and presto I had three fish best a 4 1/4 ponder a cracker, Now I know what your asking yourself why not put up the G/O first well it' a bit like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he done best when he came off the bench to score for Man Utd which he did  many times, Strangely he wasn't as effect when he started a game. Probably not the best example in the world but get the picture. I have many stories when it came to my aid throughout the season I rarely fish without one on my cast. The pic above is my own I use a golden olive hackle instead of the traditional red  not sure if it makes a difference all I can tell you is that it works.Now I am aware my tying is not the best in the world but I did tie up some flies for Martin Kearney before a trip to Mask last year and I explained that they were a bit rough to which he replied the rougher the better that made me feel a little better I was more impressed when he caught fish on them. Any way just taught I would share that with you  and maby you might share your favourite fly with the rest of us and give us something to ponder over till the season comes round and we get back on the water.                                    
Best of luck
John Doyle.