Half Baked Caddis

Materials

How to Tie the Half Baked Caddis

1. 1

   Step 1

   Secure the Tiemco TMC 100 hook (size 14-16 is ideal) in the vise. Start the UNI Waxed Thread (Olive) behind the hook eye and wrap a smooth, even thread base to the hook bend, covering the shank completely.

   This standard dry fly hook provides a wide gape and straight shank for a balanced caddis silhouette.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Select 4-6 strands of Hedron Mirage Flashabou (Opal). Cut a small bunch (about 1.5 times the hook shank length) and tie it in at the hook bend, letting the strands extend rearward as a subtle, iridescent underwing or tail accent. Secure along the shank to the midpoint, trim the excess, and cover with thread wraps.

   The Opal Mirage Flashabou adds subtle iridescence — position it under the wing or as a tail accent to catch light without overwhelming the fly.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Create a dubbing noodle with Fulling Mill Ultra Dub (Olive Dun) on the UNI Waxed Thread. Use a sparse amount for a slim, tapered body. Wrap the dubbed thread forward from the hook bend to about two-thirds of the shank length, forming a slightly tapered, buggy body.

   The Olive Dun color mimics a natural caddis pupa.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Cut a small bunch of Hareline Ripple Ice Fiber (Orange), about 8-12 fibers, measuring slightly longer than the hook shank. Tie in at the point where the dubbed body ends, with the tips extending toward the hook bend to form a wing. Secure the fibers on top of the shank, trim the butts, and cover with thread wraps.

   Keep the orange Ripple Ice Fiber sparse — its flash is potent, so a little goes a long way.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Select a small bundle of Wapsi Elk Body Hair. Clean the underfur and stack the hair to align the tips. Measure the elk hair to extend just past the hook bend, matching the Ripple Ice Fiber length. Tie it in over the Ripple Ice Fiber, with the tips forming a secondary wing. Secure with tight thread wraps, trim the butts at an angle, and cover with thread.

   Select high-quality Wapsi Elk Body Hair with minimal underfur for easier stacking and a cleaner wing. A hair stacker helps align tips.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Build a small, neat head with the UNI Waxed Thread (Olive) over the trimmed elk hair butts. Whip finish behind the hook eye (2-3 whips for security) and trim the thread. Optionally apply UV resin or head cement to the thread head. Fluff the elk hair and Ripple Ice Fiber gently to enhance movement.

   Maintain even tension with the waxed thread to avoid bulky thread wraps.