McPhail's Bubble Wing Caddis

Materials

How to Tie the McPhail's Bubble Wing Caddis

1. 1

   Step 1

   Secure hook in vise. Start grey thread at the eye and wind back to the bend.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Apply a small ball of insect green dubbing at the rear of the hook shank to form the egg sack.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Blend CDC fiber trimmings with rabbit dubbing and a touch of UV flash. Dub this mixture onto the thread.

   Keep the blend ratio about 50/50 CDC to rabbit for best floatation.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Wrap the dubbed thread forward to form a slender, slightly tapered body. Stop well behind the eye.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Tie in two Coq de Leon fibers as antennae ahead of the dubbed body, extending slightly past the eye.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Align 3 CDC feathers tip-to-tip. Tie them in at the thorax area with tips pointing forward to form the bubble wing over the thorax.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Create a split-thread or dubbing loop with the CDC/rabbit blend. Spin and wrap it in front of the wing as a scruffy hackle for extra floatation.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Whip finish behind the eye. Trim the CDC wing to desired length and tease out fibers for legs.