Bodkin / Patterns

Nitro Caddis Pupa

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook curved scud/pupa hook (e.g. TMC 2487 / Ahrex FW541), #12-18
  • Thread brown-olive 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Black-nickel tungsten bead Black nickel bead (1 (2-3.5mm))
  • Pearl cord braid Olive ostrich herl (body)
  • Premium CDC Caddis dun (1-2 (collar/legs))

How to tie it

  1. Slide the black-nickel tungsten bead to the eye.
  2. Roll the end of the pearl cord braid between finger and thumb to taper it, then tie it in so the tapered tip extends about one hook-gap past the bend.
  3. Wrap the cord braid forward in touching turns to a smooth, glassy, segmented body to just behind the bead; tie off and add a drop of superglue at the tie-in for durability.
  4. Build a dubbing loop, load it with CDC fibers stripped from a premium feather, and spin a short CDC rope.
  5. Wrap the CDC rope 2-3 turns behind the bead, preening the fibers back with each turn so they don't get trapped.
  6. Sweep all the CDC fibers rearward and pin them with a few thread turns for a swept pupal collar and legs.
  7. Whip finish behind the bead and cement.

Tying videos

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