Bodkin / Patterns

Caddis Pupa

Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 6 versions

Classic Recipe

• Hook Scud/curved, 14-18
• Thread Olive or tan 8/0

Materials

• Body Dubbing or latex (tapered)
• Wing buds Dark feather fibers (short, swept back)
• Thorax Peacock herl or dark dubbing (full)
• Antennae Wood duck fibers (trailing)
• Bead Tungsten bead (1 optional)

How to tie it

1. Mount the curved hook, optionally with a bead.
2. Build a tapered abdomen of dubbing or latex around the curve.
3. Tie in short, dark wing buds swept back along each side. The folded wings of the pharate adult.
4. Build a full, dark thorax of peacock or dubbing.
5. Add two wood duck fibers trailing back as antennae.
6. Whip finish.

Substitutions

• Body instead of Dubbing or latex: Olive Superfine — Green caddis pupa; Tan Superfine — Tan/cream caddis; Latex strip — Translucent, realistic
• Wing buds instead of Dark feather fibers: Black Thin Skin — More durable; Dark turkey fibers — Natural mottling
• Thorax instead of Peacock herl or dark dubbing: Peacock Ice Dub — More durable, similar look; Dark hare's ear dubbing — Buggy, natural
• Antennae instead of Wood duck fibers: Lemon mallard fibers — Standard wood duck substitute; Z-Lon strands — Synthetic, easier to handle

Other versions

5 more in the app: Lucian Vasies, BCFlyguys, Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 1, Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 2, Beadhead.

Tying videos

• Caddis Pupa — Tim Flagler (Orvis)
• Caddis Pupa — Davie McPhail (YouTube)
• Caddis Pupa — Davie McPhail (YouTube)
• Caddis Pupa — Trident Fly Fishing (YouTube)
• Caddis Pupa — Fly Fish Food (YouTube)
• Caddis Pupa — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Caddis Pupa — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Caddis Pupa — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Caddis Pupa — Caddis Fly Angling Shop (YouTube)
• Caddis Pupa — Crazy About Fly Fishing (YouTube)

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