Corn-Fed Caddis

Materials

How to Tie the Corn-Fed Caddis

1. 1

   Step 1

   Mount hook in vise. Start thread behind the eye and wrap to the bend. Tie in a short length of tan Antron yarn as a trailing shuck.

   Keep the shuck about 1/2 shank length—it suggests an emerging pupa.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Dub a slim, tapered body of chocolate brown dubbing from the bend to about 2/3 up the shank.

   Keep the body slim—the CDC provides the bulk.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Stack 3-5 CDC feathers, tips aligned. Tie them in on top as a tent-style wing, extending to the tail.

   The CDC wing provides both flotation and a realistic silhouette.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in a small tuft of white Trigger Point Fibers or Antron on top of the CDC wing as a sighter.

   This makes the fly visible in fast or choppy water.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Create a dubbing loop with thread. Insert 2 CDC feathers and spin the loop to create a CDC hackle brush.

   Don't over-spin—the CDC fibers should remain soft and mobile.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Wrap the CDC hackle brush 2-3 turns as a collar in front of the wing. Stroke fibers rearward.

   The CDC collar adds flotation and creates a buggy profile.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Build a small thread head, whip finish, and trim any stray fibers. No head cement needed with CDC.

   Use only CDC-safe floatants like Frog's Fanny or Loon Lochsa.