Fly Tying Inventory
Little Neon Caddis
Curtis Fry fished this caddis larva pattern on a local tailwater during his guiding days in college, where it worked all year. He first tied it small on straight shank nymph hooks in sizes 18 and 20, and now also ties it jig style for Euro nymphing. Chartreuse flash under Half Round D Rib gives the body its neon, segmented look, and a black thorax with a soft hackle finishes it. The materials are simple and it is an easy tie. Tied here on a size 12 hook.
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Materials
Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless hook, size 12 (or Umpqua XC400BL-BN, or Hanak H 400 BL)
12
Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors, black, 7/64 inch (2.8mm) (or Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads, 2.8mm, black)
Black · 7/64 inch (2.8mm)
Lead free round wire, .015, wrapped behind the bead
.015
Hebert Miner Hen Saddle, black, for the soft hackle (or Nature's Spirit Starling Skin)
Black
How to Tie the Little Neon Caddis
- 1
Step 1
Slide the slotted bead onto the hook and set it against the eye, then put the hook in the vise.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap a few turns of lead-free wire on the shank, trim the ends, and push the wraps up into the back of the bead.
- 3
Step 3
Start the thread behind the wire, lock the wire in place, and wrap a thin base back to the start of the bend.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in the Half Round D Rib at the rear and leave it trailing back.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in a strand of chartreuse Holographic Flashabou at the same point.
- 6
Step 6
Return the thread to behind the wire, then wrap the Flashabou forward to it in touching turns. Tie it off and trim.
- 7
Step 7
Wrap the D Rib forward over the flash in even turns, tie it off behind the wire and trim.
The translucent rib over the flash is what gives the body its neon glow and segmentation.
- 8
Step 8
Prepare a soft hackle feather and tie it in just behind the bead.
- 9
Step 9
Take a few turns of the feather with hackle pliers, tie it off and trim the excess.
- 10
Step 10
Dub the thread with a little Hare'e Ice Dub and build a small black thorax around the base of the hackle.
- 11
Step 11
Brush out the dubbing lightly so it mixes with the hackle fibers.
- 12
Step 12
Whip finish behind the bead and cut the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbU3rmNZHqw
Credit: Curtis Fry / Fly Fish Food