Learn how to tie the Black Caddis dry fly pattern, including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly-tying skills here.

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The Black Caddis Dry Fly is a pattern we never leave the house without during late summer brookie outings here in Maine. It is the perfect fly to imitate those darker-colored insects dancing over a boiling bog or cascading creek on a sweltering August afternoon. We’re deviating slightly from the original pattern by using CDC for the underwing, which adds a touch of realism while increasing the pattern’s float ability. 

Material List

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Step One

Start by running the thread from behind the eye to the bend to establish a thread base.

Step Two

For the ribbing, tie the Flashabou on the shank’s side nearest you, then cover the material with thread down to the bend.

Step Three

Reinforce the Flashabou by securing a strand of black thread over the flash. Leave the tag ends uncovered, and we’ll finish them later.

Step Four

We’re using Snowshoe Hare’s dubbing for the Black Caddis’ body. Form a small dubbing noodle onto the thread, then make overlapping turns from the curve to below the eye.

Step Five

Take the Flashabou’s tag-end and make evenly spaced, open spiral turns around the dubbed body. Secure the material, then clip the excess below the hook eye.

Step Six

Wrap the securing thread counter-clockwise to the rib up the shank, then secure near the eye.

Step Seven

We’re using a CDC hackle for the underwing. Strip a few fuzzy fibers from the tip, secure it behind the eye, then clip the front-facing excess.

Step Eight

Prepare the wing by clipping a small hair clump from the hyde, stacking them, then removing the unruly fibers.

Step Nine

Finish the wing by securing the deer hair behind the eye. The fibers should extend until they reach the hook’s bend.

Step Ten

Complete a whip finish, then add a dose of head cement. Now it’s time to give the Black Caddis a little twitch on the local trout stream.