Carl Richard's Caddis Flies

Fly Patterns
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1

Hi Folks,

I’ve got a question for the group. I’ve been reading Carl Richards’ & Bob Braendle’s book called Caddis Super Hatches (1997). I’ve come across a really nice looking adult caddis imitation (Page 31) in which the wing is made out of frosted Scotch tape. A partridge breast feather is first stuck to the sticky side of the tape. The feather side of the tape and the feather itself are then coated with water-proof cement since the glue on Scotch Tape isn’t water-proof by itself. After the water-proof glue dries, the tape is folded down the middle and cut to the shape of the caddis wing you wish to imitate. Additional color or markings can be added as needed with a water-proof marker. The effect is striking!
I don’t recall seeing these Scotch Tape caddis flies written up in magazines or sold anywhere so I assume they never really caught on. Has anyone ever used them? If so, I’ve got a couple of questions. How is their general durability? I would be afraid that the tape might go totally limp even with the additional glue after long-term use. I don’t recall that water and Scotch Tape have ever been close allies. Also, what type of water-proof glue would you use or recommend for these flies. Much thanks in advance for your input----serious and otherwise. 8T :slight_smile:

2

8T,

Never used the scotch tape method, but have seen it. I really like using tea bags in a similar method. Lay the tea bag (single layer) over the feather then apply Flexament or something similar. Once dry, the wing is trimmed as you mentioned. Very striking, as the tea bag disappears completly. I’ve also seen a similar technique using pantyhose stretched in a needle point hoop.

Hopefully this link will wotk for the step by step of the tea bag sedge pattern. http://ukflydressing.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sbs&action=display&thread=1787

REE

3

Ron, that is a great method. Thanks for sharing that.

4

Did you really think it wouldn’t be here on FAOL? It is. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/081202fotw.php

5

Hi Again Ladyfisher,

I can only hang my head in shame. I didn’t recall that the Cinnamon Caddis had been a FOTW. It didn’t ring a bell and more than likely I just slap forgot about seeing it. My basic question about the durability of the wings still remains a major concern. Have you or any other FAOLers had a chance to check one of these Scotch Tape flies after 30-40 minutes of fishing? Granted I lose most flies in less than thirty or forty minutes of fishing but in the event I did manage to keep the fly out of the hemlock, rhododendron, and laurel, what would the wings look like? :wink: 8T :slight_smile:

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ET- some have recommended using Scotch package sealing tape, because it’s waterproof. I’m not sure that regular Scotch is.

Chuck

7

I’ve been fishing that pattern for the last 7 or 8 years. As suggested, I use a packing tape, the flies are surprisingly durable. I’ve never specifically counted, but I know the flies will at least withstand the onslaught of 20 - 25 fish. To be honest, I typically only use that pattern on fairly slow/slack water when the fish have time to really study your fly. They are very effective.

Here’s a pretty good descriptive monologue -

http://www.mwflytying.com/patterns/tape_wing_caddis.html

8

Hello Folks,

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions concerning the tape-wing caddis fly. You can always count on FAOL for some great suggestions to fly fishing or fly tying problems. As Ladyfisher pointed out, many of the answers reside right her in the FAOL archives.
REE: I like the teabag suggestion a lot. I would never have guessed that the tea bag material would become invisible after gluing.

Chuck and Pszy: I can see where packing tape would be a better choice than frosted Scotch Tape. Being water-proof and considerably stronger would certainly make it more durable. One question for either or both of you, is additional glue required to hold the feather to the tape when using packing tape?

Once again, much thanks to everyone. I’m definitely going to try both methods of wing construction. 8T :slight_smile:

9

Dave’s Fleximent is commonly used on wings like that to bind the fibers together.

10

8T,

PM me your snail mail addy and I’ll ship you some proper tea bags for this technique. UK tea bags are very different than ours. One of my mates from the UK sent me a lifetime supply of tea. You’ll see the difference. (Make sure you try the tea as a drink as well. Very superior to what we normally think of as tea.)

REE

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Hi Scruffy: Thanks for the tip on Fleximent. That was the choice that was floating around in the back of my mind and I don’t think that you could ever go wrong with an extra coat of Fleximent to hold the wings together.

Hi REE: Thank you for the generous offer of real British tea and teabags. I can hardly wait to sample both the tea and the bags as caddis wings. A PM is on the way to you with my address. Tight lines, my friend. 8T :slight_smile:

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8T,

Here is a link to the tea bag you should be using. Tea bag link

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As a minor consideration to play around with as you experiment. It’s been a long time ago, so I don’t remember who actually told me, it may have been Carl, maybe someone else. The use of tape on the wing was very purposeful. It was primarily chosen not so much to hold the wing together, but to provide a sheen. That’s the first thing you notice when you hold a tape wing in your hand, how shiny the wing is.

Again, memory is somewhat foggy, but as I remember being told, caddis wings are covered with fine hairs, which tend to trap very small air bubbles.

14

try a 3m product in the medical isle at the grocery store, its called TRANSPORE. a popular product in this household.

15

This is why I don’t by fly tying manuals anymore. Between this site, and Parnelli’s CD-ROM of the FOTWs…who needs books?

16

Once again, thanks to everyone for the additional information on tape wing flies…

Maodiver: I have to disagree with you on this one. For me one of the great pleasures is life is settling down with a brand-new fly fishing or fly-tying book. I love the stuff on FAOL but I love good books too. I’m afraid that I’m just one of those books-before-food people-----love um. 8T :slight_smile:

17

This will be a rather useless post but maybe someone knows why this tape was used.

Sometime ago I saw someone do this technique…don’t remember who… but he recommended Scotch 3M “Tear by Hand” packing tape specifically…I also don’t remember why…maybe someone knows???

I have a sample of the fly he tied…the undersurface of the feather is applied to the sticky side…the undersurface of the wing is thus the shiny side.

18

The tyer might have been Illinois’ own Bill Heckel. I’ve seen him tie at shows and I know he’s very specific about using a PVC based water proof tape - but I don’t remember if there was a name for it or not.

Picture below…

http://www.spiritriverflies.com/fly_patterns/dry_flies2_a.php

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Steven, I believe you are correct a google shows that he is on a DVD from The NW Fly Tyers Expo in Eugene, Oregon in 2003 and I undoubtedly saw him there. Thanks

20

I have “The Caddisfly Handbook” Orvis Streamside Guide Series, written by Dick Pobst and Carl Richard, that is a pocket book field guide for caddisflies throuhout North Amercia. Something that you can put in your vest pocket for use on the stream.

In “The Caddisfly Handbook” the book does cover using specifically the 3M Magic Tape for the underside of the caddisfly wing, coating the top with a sealant (nail polish does not work as it will curl the wing so it looks like the hat on the flying nun). The reason for the specific brand name for the underwing coating, is that the 3M magic tape is a gray cloud appearance, and the underside of the natural caddisfly wing is very similar in appearance.

Best part of the book is Chapter 7 where they cut to the chase and make everything so simple even I could do it! Seven caddisfly patterns, one for each branch of the Caddisfly family that are most common across North America

1. Black Caddis
Hook:
Brachycentturs, size 16
Micrasema, size 20
Amiocentrus, size 20
Glossosoma, size 20
Mystacides, size 16
Ceraclea, size 14
Neophylax, size 18
Body: Dark Gray dubbing.
Wings: Black or Gray hen hackle.

2. Green Sedge
Rhyacophila, size 14
Cheumatopsyche, size 18
Lepidostoma, size 16
Body: Olive Green dubbing
Wings: Brown speckle partridge back feathers
Hackle: Brown

3. Cinnamon Caddis
Hydropsycche, size 16
Ceratopsyche, size 16
Helicopsyche, size 20
Body: Cinamon dubbing
Wings: Brown speckled partridge back feathers
Hackle: Light Brown

4. Tan Long-Horn Sedge
Oecetis, size 16
Body: Tan and olive: ginger thorax
Wings: Tan hen body feather
Hackle: Tan

5. White Miller
Nectopsyche, size 16
Body: Olive with tan thorax
Wings: Cream hen body feather
Hackle: Ginger

6. Dark Blue Sedge
Psilotreta, size 14
Body: Dark gray to dark green
Wings: Dark gran hen body feather
Hackle: Dark gray

7. Giant Orange Sedge (aka: October Caddis)
Dicosmoecus, size 4 to 8
Body: Orange dubbing
Wings: Gray Hen body feather
Hackles: Rusty Brown

~Parnelli