Here’s a great video that walks you through a somewhat complicated pattern from well-known New Jersey tier, John Collins. About this fly, Collins says, “I created this pattern to imitate caddis larvae found in many rivers. After photographing numerous natural insects, I observed that their bodies had a very translucent nature to them, so to imitate them I incorporate Ultra Wire inside of hollow Stretch Tubing and use this as the material to create realistic bodies that very closely resemble most net-spinning and free-living caddis larvae.” Collins ties this pattern in different colors and sizes to match different species of caddisflies. He also ties a beadhead version, using a caddis green, Nymph-Head Heavy Metal tungsten bead.
The video, by Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, makes each step crystal-clear, as usual, and explains the best and easiest way to accomplish the cool effects that result in this pattern. As with all of Tightline’s videos, this one offers some excellent tips, such as how to make the Stretch Tubing thinner then fatter, how to create “wing buds,” and how to make the antennae stiffer and more durable. These are techniques you can use for many other patterns, as well.
JCs Electric Caddis Pupa from Tightline Productions on Vimeo.
JC’s Electric Caddis Pupa
Hook: Scud/Pupa hook (e.g.Daiichi #1150), size 12.
Rear Thread: Fluorescent Green, 8/0 or 70-denier.
Abdomen: Fluorescent chartreuse Ultra Wire (small) and fluorescent
chartreuse Stretch Tubing (micro).
Underbody: Fluorescent green Antron-blend dubbing.
Wing buds: Black Swiss Straw.
Front thread: Tan tying thread, 12/0.
Thorax: Tan Antron-blend dubbing.
Legs: 6 pheasant-tail fibers.
Antennae: Mallard flank-feather fibers.
Head: Tying thread.
Tools: Caddis-wing Burner, Clear Cure Goo Hydro, ultraviolet light,
head cement.