How to Tie a Hatching Caddis Pupa Fly Pattern

Fly Tying

Mar 8

This simple but effective pattern mimics a hatching caddis pupa, making it a great option for fishing close to the surface, especially in a dry-dropper rig.

Materials Needed:

Hook: Size 14 Check Nymph (e.g., F560 medium wire hook)
Thread: Brown Uni-thread
Dubbing: Brown/gold UV flash dub (optional: other natural dubbings like rabbit or squirrel)
Tail: Zonker strip (light cinnamon and brown)
Eyes: Bright nylon or similar fiber (e.g., orange)
Thorax Cover and Legs: Pheasant tail
Tools: Tweezers, lighter, scissors, whip finish tool, marker pen (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Tie a Hatching Caddis Pupa Fly Pattern

Step 1: Prepare the Body

Start by forming the body of the fly. Brush together strands of light brown Zonker strip and use a lighter to melt the ends. Roll the fibers together to create a tapered shape. Hold the end and slide back any stray fibers to make the body even.

Step 2: Attach the Hook and Thread

Secure your hook (Size 14 Check Nymph recommended) in your vise. Attach brown thread and wax it lightly to prevent slippage. Make sure the thread is secure and ready for the rest of the steps.

Step 3: Create the Dumbbell Eyes

Use bright nylon fibers (preferably orange) to make small dumbbell eyes. Cut around 5mm of nylon, burn the ends slightly with a lighter, and allow it to cool. Attach the eyes securely to the top of the hook with thread using a figure-eight method. Keep the eyes a short distance from the hook's eye.

Step 4: Form the Thorax and Legs

For the legs and thorax cover, use pheasant tail fibers. Select fibers from the base of the feather, tear away around 12 fibers, and tie them in on top of the body. Split the fibers evenly for symmetry. Bring over the remaining pheasant tail fibers to form the thorax cover and secure them with a few turns of thread.

Step 5: Apply Dubbing and Shape the Thorax

Take your UV flash dub (brown/gold) and lightly dub it onto the thread. Build the thorax by working the dubbing forward to the hook's eye. Avoid applying dubbing in front of the eyes.

Step 6: Add the Wings and Finish

For the wings, use bronze mallard feathers. Line them up, making them slightly longer than the body. Attach them in front of the eyes and split them gently to create a natural separation. Whip finish behind the eyes and trim away excess material. Optionally, curl the wings slightly for more lifelike movement in the water.

Step 7: Final Touches

Shape the legs by gently pulling them forward. Add any final touches to the fly, like light brushing of the body to make it rough and more natural. Be sure to leave the fly with a slightly messy appearance to simulate a hatching caddis.

Fly Tying