Bodkin / Patterns

Natural Caddis

Nymph · Trout · Grayling · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook curved caddis/scud hook (e.g. TMC 2457), #12-18
  • Thread olive 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead (optional) Gold/copper bead (1 (to hook size))
  • Lead-free wire Silver lead free wire (6-8 turns (optional))
  • Body dubbing / Antron Caddis green (abdomen)
  • Wire rib Gold wire (1 strand)
  • Hare's ear dubbing Brown dubbing (thorax/legs)

How to tie it

  1. Optional: slide a bead to the eye and lay 6-8 turns of lead-free wire behind it to add weight and prop the bead.
  2. Start the thread and tie in a length of fine gold wire at the bend for the rib.
  3. Dub a plump, slightly tapered caddis-green abdomen forward to the 75% mark. Fuller at the rear, like a grub.
  4. Counter-wrap the wire rib forward in 5-6 open turns and tie off; the counter-wrap protects the soft body.
  5. Dub a contrasting brown/hare thorax collar, then pick out a few fibers for legs.
  6. Whip finish behind the bead (or at the eye) and add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns