Chuck's Caddis Variant SBS

[ScottP]

Works well when the caddis are skating all over the place and it's pretty easy to see even in failing light. Originally tied by Chuck Stranahan for steelhead; he now lives in Montana and runs a flyshop in Hamilton, on the Bitterroot River.


hook - Dai Riki 305 #16
thread - Uni 8/0 tan
abdomen - Congo Hair tan
underwing - yearling elk bleached
overwing - calf body
hackle - grizzly dyed ginger (oversize by 1)


Part 1



mash barb and attach thread at 60% mark (that'll be the reference point for the wing tie-in)









separate some Congo Hair fibers (original pattern called for antron, but CH is hydrophobic and I'm all for anything that helps with floatation); tie in and wrap back to point above hook barb












return thread to initial tie-in, take Congo Hair and twist tightly (make sure you've tied the CH down securely as the twisting generates a lot of torque)









start wrapping the CH rope forward (continue twisting as you wrap to maintain the segmentation)












as you reach the 60% mark let the CH untwist (creates a smoother tie-down), tie off and trim









clean and stack some elk hair