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Thread: Caddis color?

  1. #1

    Default Caddis color?

    New to fly tying. What is it that makes a tan, brown or olive caddis? Is it the body dubbing color you use or the hackle color that defines each? Thanks.

  2. #2
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    Caddis patterns don't always need hackle at all, an since it represents legs it can be dark brown in most cases. Live caddis have wings from tan to almost black. It is their abdomen that really distinguishes the colour labelling.
    http://www.troutnut.com/hatch/12/Ins...ra-Caddisflies
    Last edited by Greg H; 01-12-2014 at 12:16 AM.

  3. #3
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    Dubbing color and/or possible the feather or quill depending on the type or stage of development.
    If your speaking specifically about the winged critter then its would be the feather and dubbing combination.
    Most good ties will use a color shade of each material to get the right appearance.
    Relaxed and now a Full Time Trout Bum, Est. 2024

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    I cannot answer your question, but, I can give you a warm welcome from Tennessee to FAOL! I will look forward to more post from you. Welcome.....
    Warren
    Fly fishing and fly tying are two things that I do, and when I am doing them, they are the only 2 things I think about. They clear my mind.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by riverdep View Post
    New to fly tying. What is it that makes a tan, brown or olive caddis? Is it the body dubbing color you use or the hackle color that defines each? Thanks.
    Assuming you're talking about the adult caddis, the color reference is usually to the body. As you progress, you'll probably run across the works of the late Gary LaFontaine. LaFontaine like to describe caddis in a body/wing combo (or maybe it was a wing/body combo, I don't remember) such as olive/brown or gray/black, but you don't see that much.

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    The answer to your specific question, "Is it the body dubbing color you use or the hackle color that defines each?", if we're talking about a somewhat 'basic adult' caddis pattern, then the answer is - the body color (dubbed, yarn, whatever) - defines the name. Of course there is a sh*tload of patterns that are more intricate and they get 'non-basic' names. Then there's another sh*tload that are developed (or have minor alterations to existing patterns) and they are promoted under the name of the 'developer'!
    But back to your point - a Tan, Green, Grey, Black Caddis, etc. are caddis' with that color as the body.

    Have fun and tight wraps.

    Allan

  7. #7

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    Thanks everyone for the information and making me feel welcome. I am sure I will have other questions as I progress. Thanks again.

  8. #8
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    At some point in yer' tying career, I would suggest getting these two books ,on Caddis, which will advance the learning curve by leaps and bounds:

    http://www.amazon.com/Caddisflies-Ea.../dp/0811704564

    http://www.amazon.com/Caddisflies-Ga.../dp/0941130983


    PT/TB
    Daughter to Father, "How many arms do you have, how many fly rods do you need?"
    http://planettrout.wordpress.com/

  9. #9
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    a cheaper alternative for the beginner is to checkout this series from the FAOL home page http://www.flyanglersonline.com/arti...logy/index.php
    Last edited by rainbowchaser; 01-10-2014 at 08:57 PM.
    I can think of few acts more selfish than refusing a vaccination.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rainbowchaser View Post
    a cheaper alternative for the beginner is to checkout this series from the FAOL home page http://www.flyanglersonline.com/arti...logy/index.php
    Right on, rainbowchaser!! When I decided to tie my own flies, a search on google brought me to this sight. (As they say, ".......is history." HEHE) The tying series here is EXCELLENT!!!!

    Mike
    Work is something for people that don't fish.

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