Rocky Road Caddis
According to Warren E. Schoth, it was developed as
a realistic low profile caddis with high flotation characteristics.
Many low water or flat water caddis do not float well. The
traditional hair wings have the wrong profile on fast but
relatively unbroken water.Materials List:
Hooks: Daiichi 1180.
Thread: Tan 6/0.
Body: Spun clipped tan elk (deer can be substituted).
Thorax: Fine tan dubbing.
Hackle: Brown neck hackle, 1 size under hook size.
Wing: Well mottled turkey, peacock, reeves pheasant tail, etc.
Covert: Lapped extension of wing.
Antennae: Fine stripped hackle stem.
Tying Instructions:
-
Debarb hook, attach thread, wrap complete
hook shank with thread, then apply cement. With
thread at front of hook (leave room at the head for
the foam), tie in body material (and optional hackle or
ribbing.) Trim excess, cement tie-down area. -
Wrap thread to the rear of the body. Wrap
body to the rear, ending body just above the hook point
(then the optional hackle or ribbing). Tie off, trim
excess, cement tie-down area. -
Split a wing section from prepared material proportioned
to the hook. This is 1/4"on a #12 hook.,
7/32" for #14, 6/32" for a #16, 5/32" for a #18 -
Carefully fold the quill section in half and cut a 45
degree angle from the apex of the fold of the wing to
form a V when the wing is reopened. Unfold wing. -
Bring tying thread back through the body to a point
1/2 the distance from the point of the hook to the
eye of the hook. -
Place wing squarely on top, extending 1/2 body length
beyond the body (not 1/2 body length beyond
the bend) ; carefully fold wing tent style over the body,
tie down and tie forward 2-3 turns, fold the wing
back over itself and take 2-3 tight turns just front
of fold. -
Tie in hackle, 1 size smaller than hook, by stem butt.
-
Dub and form thorax over forward area of clipped deer hair
and forward to eye. -
Tie in antennae.
-
Fold remainder of wing forward, press flat and tie off.
-
Form small, clean, neat head. Whip finish and cut thread. Cement
Fishing the Fly:
I feel that this is one of the best dry caddis imitations
anywhere. I’ve fished it on the Madison River,
Henry’s Fork, Fall River, and a number of small
streams in Utah and Idaho. It has always been effective
for me. Fish it just like any other dry caddis , but don’t
hope for strikes, EXPECT THEM!!! Everyone should
give this pattern a try. It combines high flotation with
excellent profile and realism.
Warren E. Schoth is undoubtedly one of the best fly tyers
there is. He has an incredible in-depth knowledge on nearly
all aspects of fly fishing and fly tying. I am astounded almost
every time I talk to him. I feel extremely fortunate to know
him as well as I do. I have learned volumes from him already,
and with any luck, will continue to do so.
Please give this bug a try. It really is exceptional. ~ Matt Lyon
Originally published December 7, 1998 on Fly Anglers Online by Matt Lyon.