Bodkin / Patterns

Pulsating Cad

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Curved caddis/scud hook (TMC 2457), 12-16
  • Thread Tan 8/0

Materials

  • Glass beads (body) Root beer (#14) glass beads (3)
  • Dubbing (segments) Golden (buggy nymph) (1 pinch)
  • Wood duck flank (antennae) Natural mallard flank (a few fibers)
  • Dubbing (head) Dark brown dubbing (1 pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Slide three root-beer glass beads onto the hook and start the thread behind the eye.
  2. Run a thread base to the bend and build a small dubbing dam there to stop the beads from sliding off the back.
  3. Push the three beads down toward the bend and dub a thin golden collar between each bead so they sit spaced along the shank (the open gaps let the beads wobble and 'pulsate' in current).
  4. Behind the front bead, tie in a few wood duck flank fibers as short antennae angled forward over the eye.
  5. Dub a dark brown head in front of the beads up to the eye.
  6. Whip finish and cement.

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