How to Tie a Caddis Pupa Fly

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

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One of the most practical, versatile flies ever... and a great one to have in your box. It's no secret a Caddis hatch is one of the most popular hatches throughout the US and beyond. Many anglers prefer to fish the Elk Hair Caddis, but when fish aren't rising, they're probably feeding on Caddis subsurface. This version of the Caddis Pupa is a great one to swing as an emerger or dead drift as a nymph under an indicator. The life-like profile is relatively easy to tie and traps air bubbles in the water to attract feeding trout. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie one of the most popular patterns in trout fishing.

Materials:

We've put together a kit that contains all the materials you need to tie this exact fly pattern.

Click the button below to shop the selection.

• Umpqua Competition C300BL Hook
• Hareline Plummeting Tungsten Bead - 1/8", Gloss Black
• Hareline Round Lead-Free Wire - .015
• UTC Ultra Thread 70 Denier - Fl. Green
• Hareline Vinyl Rib - Nymph, Clear
• Senyo's Laser Dub - Black
• Hareline Premium Hungarian Partridge Feathers - Natural
• Copic Sketch Marker - Olive

Step One:

Take 8-10 wraps with the Lead-Free Wire to seat the bead behind the eye of the hook. Break off the excess wire and push the wraps forward to seat the bead at the front of the hook.

Step Two:

Create the underbody of the fly by wrapping the flourescent green thread down the hook shank and back up. This will also help create a taper to encourage the right nymph profile in the water. Leave your thread right behind the lead wire.

Step Three:

Next, tie in the clear Vinyl Rib right behind the lead wire. Wrap rearward to anchor the Vinyl Rib down and to create more of an underbody. These thread wraps will show through the clear rib to create the green tint of the fly.

Step Four:

Wrap the Vinyl Rib forward taking loose, touching turns to create the body of the fly. This will give the Caddis Pupa a segmented body for a realistic look in the water.

Step Five:

Next, create a dubbing noodle with Laser Dub and wrap it at the tie off point of the rib. Leave room behind the bead for the second round of dubbing you'll tie in later.

Step Six:

Take your Partridge Feather and tie it in to create the legs of the fly. Prep the Partridge by stripping off all of the fibers from one side of the feather then tie it in right in front of the dubbing. Take 1-2 wraps with the Partridge Feather to create the legs of the fly.

Step Seven:

Finally, create another dubbing noodle to finish off the fly. This will add to the head of the fly and cover up the Partridge legs. After you're finished with your final dubbing noodle, throw a whip finish.

Step Eight:

Use the olive Copic Sketch Marker to add a dark color to the back of the fly. This will create a more lifelike profile in the water.

Step Nine:

After picking out the dubbing with a dubbing brush, you're done! That's one version of a Caddis Pupa that works well as a nymph, a wet fly, or on a dry dropper rig. Get your materials from us and start tying!

Questions?

Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at [email protected].