LaFontaine Diving Caddis SBS

[ScottP]

Put this one together a while back; simple to tie, catches fish. This one's for the Hydropsyche hatch; adjust colors and sizes to meet your needs


hook - Mustad 3906B #16
thread - Uni 8/0 camel
butt - antron dubbing green
body - zelon dubbing tan
underwing - hen hackle fibers
overwing - Congo Hair beige
hackle - hen


mash barb and attach thread 1 hook eye width back; wrap back to point above hook barb




apply some dubbing to thread




dub a small ball for butt/egg sac





apply some more dubbing for body, keep it loose; original fly used touch dub for the body (use whichever you prefer; split thread is an option, too)





wrap body to initial tie in point





pull off some fibers from hen hackle for underwing; let tips extend a bit beyond hook bend and tie in




trim butts and tie in a few strands of Congo Hair (or whatever sparkle yarn you prefer); fold back, tie down and trim even with underwing







prep a hen hackle feather (I like the tips to extend back to the hook bend); tie in by tip (trim tip after hackle is wound)






wrap hackle, tie off, whip finish, SHHAN and go look for some egg layers




Regards,
Scott

[tie2fish]

Very nice take on a proven pattern, Scott. BTW, that's some awesome hen hackle you have there -- looks like a combo of red grouse and golden plover. Is it Brahma and where did you find it?

[ScottP]

Thanks. The hackle is an Indian hen back I bought years ago; most of the feathers are much bigger but there are a few on it that will tie down this small.

Regards,
Scott

[William Anderson]

This looks like a pattern that could easily load a box. I still need to get a copy of lafontain's caddis book. It's a nice versatile combination. Nicely presented, Scott. Thanks.

[Roadkill]

Nice fly, but as I recall Gary stressed using all clear reflective Antron fibers for the overwing not the colored Antron body yarn to represent the bright gas bubble of the diving adult. I think crinkled Zelon would be a modern substitute.

[ScottP]

as I recall Gary stressed using all clear reflective Antron fibers for the overwing not the colored Antron body yarn to represent the bright gas bubble of the diving adult. I think crinkled Zelon would be a modern substitute.

He also tied it with dry fly hackle, which I should have noted. The antron (or zelon, as you mentioned) would work great; didn't have any (this was tied on the road), and I've had pretty good luck with Congo Hair underwings/shucks so that's what I went with.

Regards,
Scott