We’re seeing larger bugs hatching out here in Utah, the Mother’s Day Caddis have already been seen on many of our local rivers here, one of my go-to patterns for this time of year would be the X-Caddis. This fly can be really effective during this hatch but can be tied in various colors to represent the various caddis species found across the nation. It’s a really simple tie and is a great way to get familiar tying with deer hair.
X-Caddis Recipe
- Hook: TMC 100 sz 20- 16
- Thread: Brown 6/0
- Shuck: Brown Sparkle Emerger Yarn
- Body: Olive or Dark Olive Dubbing
- Wing: Premium Deer Hair
Step 1: Wrap your thread around the hook shank creating a nice baselayer, wrap down to the barb and back to the eye about two times, finishing at the barb.
Step 2: Pull or cut off a few strands of sparkle emerger yarn, tie in the strands at the back of the hook with a few wraps. Then I like to fold it over and wrap back down to the back of the hook shank.
Step 3: Next twist on a few pinches of olive dubbing onto the thread, apply small amounts at a time, this will help avoid making the fly too bulky. Once applied, wrap the thread around the hook shank about ¾” the way up, creating a tapered body.
Step 4: Cut off a pinch of deer hair. Then measure the hair, about a full hook shank from the tips, and tie in the fibers tightly, trying to keep them on top of the fly.
Step 5: Once secure finish off the fly with a whip finish and apply head cement if desired.
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