Orange Horned Caddis

[Old Hat]

Ray this a well thought out pattern that I know would do well here as long as I could get it deep enough. I would have to weight it a bit more. The antennae are a nice contribution. They are a great finishing touch to inspire confidence in the pattern. I would suggest trying to tie a few with very contrasting antennae (white is what I would suggest). Turkey biots would be the logical choice but they don't add any movement. The profile of this pattern is not far from my go-to weighted nymph the Copper Swan. It is only 1 of 2 nymphs I fish for steelhead which are more used to get wet flies deeper but take a large number of steelhead themselves. I believe the contrasting white biots on the Copper Swan are an important feature, not necessarily for representing anything but adding that contrasting feature. Just a thought.

[Mataura mayfly]

I believe the contrasting white biots on the Copper Swan are an important feature, not necessarily for representing anything but adding that contrasting feature. Just a thought.

How about the pale buff butt sections of some bronze Peacock herl? Not quite white- more cinnamon, darker and more active than biot- but lighter (colour) than Pheasant Tail?

[Old Hat]

Yep, maybe just some white floss or Krystal flash too.

[UC Steve]

Nicely conceived & executed bait. I like the leg/antennae idea -- adds movement & vibration.

I am very impressed with your designs. There is a pragmatic bait-fisher element about them that I like, your dangerous bottom-line intentions speaking from them.

~Steve

[UC Steve]

Note on the pheasant tail: I've found turkey tail fibers to be more rugged used this way, mottled too.

I'd fish these with a floating line, heavily weighted beneath the thorax, two to a cast, a fat splitshot on the leader.

[letumgo]

Thanks for the kind remarks Guys. It means a lot.

I almost caught a REALLY nice steelhead on this fly today. Darned fish drifted along, watching the fly tumble along the bottom of the stream. Unfortunately he changed his mind when line drag caused the fly to speed up. I am encouraged that he at least found the fly interesting enough to follow.

Maybe next time he will be less cautious...