Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 1 version
Lucian Vasies
Hook Demmon Supreme J100 BL jig hook, 12-16
Thread White Sumo Power 50 denier
Materials
Weight Black ostrich herl (tungsten bead (slotted, classic or jig-off))
Body Natural case (pure squirrel dubbing)
Neck Green caddis (A16) (Mojo Yarn 300 denier)
Legs Grey rubber legs (partridge neck barbs)
How to tie it
Bead the J100 jig hook with a black tungsten and start white Sumo 50 denier thread behind it. White keeps the natural squirrel body honest once the fly is soaked.
Run the thread to the bend and dub a rough, dark-looking body of natural pure squirrel over the rear two-thirds of the shank, picking it out so it looks like case debris rather than smooth dubbing.
Tie in green caddis Mojo Yarn just in front of the body and take two or three turns as a bright neck. That green collar is the larva peeping out of its case, and the contrast against the dark body is the entire trigger on this fly.
Tie in grey partridge barbs behind the bead as legs and sweep them back over the neck.
Whip finish behind the bead. Fish it low and slow along the riverbed. The jig hook rides point-up, which gives a natural presentation and far fewer snags on the bottom where the fly needs to be.
Tie the same fly across sizes 12 to 16 to match the caddis in your own river.