Bodkin / Patterns

Cactus Fly

Streamer · Trout · Beginner · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook standard wet/nymph or streamer hook, 8-14
  • Thread To match body 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Bead (optional) Gold or silver tungsten bead (1)
  • Tail (optional) Marabou or hackle fibers (1 clump)
  • Body Cactus chenille (pearl/olive/red/copper) (as needed)
  • Hackle (optional) Soft hen or webby saddle (1 feather)

How to tie it

  1. Optionally slide a bead to the eye, then start the thread and tie in a short tail at the bend if desired.
  2. Tie in the cactus chenille at the bend; wrap it tightly for a slim body or in touching turns for a fat flashy body up to the front. Why: cactus chenille is a loose mylar weave whose pearlescent fibers throw just enough flash to trigger strikes as a simple attractor.
  3. Optionally take a turn or two of soft hackle as a collar for movement, then sweep it back.
  4. Build a small head and whip finish.

Tying videos

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