How to tie: a Caddis Larva

With: tightlinevideo

This tutorial walks through a step-by-step guide on tying a simplified caddisfly larvae pattern, perfect for fly fishers who want an effective, easy-to-tie fly. Here’s a streamlined breakdown

Materials:

• Hook: Orvis Tactical Barbless Czech Nymph Hook (Size 12 for demo, Size 14 or 16 recommended)

• Thread: UTC 140 in Yellow Olive (70 denier also works)

• Dubbing: Australian Possum (Light Olive for the body, Dark Brown for the head)

Instructions:

1. Start the Thread:

   • Secure the hook in your vise and start your thread above the hook point.

   • Take thread wraps rearward and stop at the bend.

   • Make sure to flatten your UTC thread by spinning the bobbin counterclockwise, so it’s not twisted.

2. Dubbing Technique:

   • Use the flattened thread to create a dubbing loop.

   • Take a pinch of light olive Australian possum dubbing.

   • Split the flattened thread using a dubbing needle and insert the fibers between the thread strands.

   • Spin your bobbin clockwise to tighten the dubbing loop, creating a fine dubbing noodle.

3. Wrap the Body:

   • Wrap the dubbing noodle along the hook shank, starting deep into the bend and moving forward, creating a smooth body that ends about three eye-lengths from the hook eye.

4. Create the Thorax:

   • Now take dark brown possum dubbing for the thorax.

   • Repeat the same dubbing process to create a shorter, bushy thorax.

   • Wrap this material just behind the hook eye to form a head.

5. Whip Finish:

   • Spin your bobbin counterclockwise to flatten the thread again, preventing knots when whip-finishing.

   • Apply a 4-5 turn whip finish and trim the thread.

6. Finishing Touches:

   • Tease the fibers upward and then trim them to create a tapered body.

   • Push the remaining fur downward, leaving them a bit long to imitate the larvae’s legs and gills.