Bodkin / Patterns

Harrop's CDC Bubble Back Caddis

Dry Fly · Emerger · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Tiemco 206BL (2X-short curved emerger/caddis hook), #14-20
  • Thread Tan 12/0 (Veevus)

Materials

  • Thread Tan Veevus 12/0 (1 spool)
  • Abdomen Tan Antron/Superfine dubbing (pinch)
  • Legs Hungarian partridge fibers (two clumps of 10-15 fibers)
  • Bubble-back wing Natural dun cdc feather (1-2 feathers)
  • Thorax Tan Antron dubbing (pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Start the thread behind the eye and run it to the bend of the curved hook. Dub a slender, slightly tapered abdomen of tan Antron over the rear 60% of the shank.
  2. Tie in one natural dun CDC feather by its tip at the front of the abdomen with the tip pointing forward over the eye for now; it will be folded back later to form the air bubble.
  3. On each side of the shank tie in a clump of 10-15 partridge fibers as swept-back legs reaching to about the hook point.
  4. Dub a small tan Antron thorax just in front of the leg tie-in.
  5. Pull the CDC feather back over the top of the thorax and abdomen to form a puffy 'bubble back' that traps air, tie it down at the eye, and trim the excess leaving a short stub as a stubby head.
  6. Whip finish and cement the thread.

Tying videos

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