Monday, April 19, 2021

"Hard" And "Soft" Caddis


 The caddis fly is a staple on trout streams. it's sort of like bread and butter at the dinner table. The caddis can be fished in many ways from the nymph to the emerger to the adult. In any one form it can be deadly. Here are a couple of versions of the caddis that I like to fish. It's more like one version which is the emerger but fished at different depths in the water. The first fly is tied with a body of hares mask. The hackle used is a a dry fly rooster. What I use is these India rooster capes. These birds are smaller than domestic capes and the hackle is semi stiff.

The first fly is what I call the "Hard Caddis"   it is tied with the rooster cape and is fished just below the surface. Technically it's still a wet fly but the dry fly hackles causes it to do some different things in the water. It will break the surface and appear to be a struggling adult. Very effective.

 

This is a partridge feather. It is taken from the back of the bird and offers a brown color. It is tied on the fly the same as the rooster hackle. Being a much softer hackle the fly works in slightly deeper water. It's pulsating hackles will draw strikes.

The "Soft Caddis"

By the way the feathers on those India rooster capes make great wings for small streamer flies.




 

14 comments:

  1. The soft caddis looks to be very effective.

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    Replies
    1. Dave
      Thanks
      It is...lots of tantalizing movement in those soft hackles.

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  2. Replies
    1. Tom Davis
      Thanks
      Yes Tom they both get it done at the right time.

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  3. That's some very insightful tying, Alan. I love both patterns and I don't tie nearly enough with the stiffer hackles;...I will now. Thanks for sharing the lesson.

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    Replies
    1. mike
      Thanks
      Mike you would be surprised how effective those stiffer hackles are...they push water nicely. Also they'll work well with your Tiny Ten.

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  4. Very nicely tied timeless patterns. James Leisenring would approve as would trout the world over. A joy to cast too.

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    Replies
    1. CM
      Thanks
      CM I appreciate your compliment. Big Jim's approval is the topper. These flies cast very nicely, and I find great pleasure in tying them.

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  5. Replies
    1. Hibernation
      Thanks
      Will they are extremely effective too.

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  6. Alan
    I would think both flies are highy visible in moving water? Impressed with both patterns---thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill they are visible, but they attract in different ways. The soft hackle moves seductively and the stiff hackle moves water.

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  7. I agree with CM’s comment above, the Hard Caddis especially looks very Flymph-like. I think I see a wire rib on that one as well. Nice ties!
    Kevin

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    Replies
    1. Ned Zeppelin
      Thanks
      Kevin flymph possibly. There is no wire rib. It's the hares mask that makes it look like it. Wait until you see the "hot" Hard Caddis....

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