Bodkin / Patterns

Dusty Old Bat Caddis Dark

Dry Fly · Trout · Beginner · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Down-eye dry-fly hook (Fulling Mill 1310 / Daiichi 1180), 14
  • Thread Fluorescent green 12/0

Materials

  • Body Ultra Dry Dub, Pepperbox (dark) or Hare's Ear (pinch)
  • Wing Natural whitetail deer hair (X-Caddis style) (small bunch)
  • Hackle CDC feathers, natural grey (or brown olive) (1-2 feathers)

How to tie it

  1. Start fluorescent green thread and dub a slim, slightly tapered body of dark Pepperbox dry dubbing forward over the rear two-thirds of the shank.
  2. Stack a small bunch of natural whitetail deer hair and tie it in X-Caddis style as a downwing extending to about the end of the bend; leave short butt tips flared at the front as a stub head.
  3. Tie in one or two CDC feathers just ahead of the wing.
  4. Wind the CDC forward in touching turns as a soft, buggy front hackle to just behind the eye. The CDC plus deer hair gives it "lots of floaty parts" so it skates without drowning.
  5. Whip finish behind the eye with the green thread showing as a small hot head, and add a tiny drop of cement.

Tying videos

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