Bodkin / Patterns

RIO's Peeping Caddis TB

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL-3XL curved caddis/nymph hook, 10-14
  • Thread brown 70 denier

Materials

  • Tungsten bead Black or copper slotted tungsten bead (1, sized to hook)
  • Chenille or floss Chartreuse fine chenille (short length for the peeping larva)
  • Hare's ear dubbing (guard hairs left in) Natural brown hare s mask dubbing (a rough pinch for the case)
  • Copper wire Copper wire (small, for the rib)
  • Hungarian partridge Brown hen hackle (1 feather for the legs)
  • Hare's mask or ostrich herl Dark brown/black dubbing (a small pinch for the head)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the tungsten bead to the eye and start brown thread behind it, running a base back to the bend. This fly imitates a cased caddis with the grub peeking out, so the case fills most of the shank.
  2. At the bend, tie in the copper wire, then dub a fat, deliberately shaggy hare's-ear body forward over the rear two-thirds of the shank to build the bulky stick-and-sand case.
  3. Counter-wrap the copper rib forward in 4-5 open turns to armor the case, tie off, and rake the dubbing with a bodkin so it looks rough and grubby, not neat.
  4. Just behind the bead, tie in a short length of chartreuse chenille or floss and wrap a small, bright segment for the peeping larva head poking out the front of the case. This bright spot is the trigger.
  5. Fold a partridge feather and take 1-2 turns of soft hackle over the chartreuse for legs, sweeping fibers back to about one hook gap.
  6. Dub or wind a small dark hare/ostrich head over the last turns behind the bead, whip finish, and add a drop of cement.

Tying videos

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