How to Tie the Corn Fed Caddis Dry Fly Pattern

Aug 31, 2023 · 2 min read

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

The Corn Fed Caddis is a chunky, high-floating Caddis imitation tied with a thick, full CDC wing for maximum float ability. The CDC-based design means this Caddis lands slightly softer than a traditional elk hair and maintains a more lifelike profile on the water when targeting trout feeding on top.

Material List

Hook: TMC 100; Size 14
Thread: UNI 6/0; Brown
Shuck: Antron Yarn; Tan
Body: Hareline Dubbing; Chocolate Brown
Wing: Hareline CDC; Dark Brown
Sighter: Antron Yarn; White
Thorax: Hareline Dubbing; Chocolate Brown
Hackle Collar: Hareline CDC; Dark Brown
Wapsi Dubbing Wax

Buy Material Kit

Step One

Fly tying vise holding copper curved hook with brown thread wrap for Corn Fed Caddis dry fly on dark background

Begin the Corn Fed Caddis pattern by running the thread from below the hook eye to the bend.

Step Two

Tan synthetic wing and brown thread body on gold hook held in vise, Corn Fed caddis dry fly pattern for fly fishing

The first ingredient is tan Antron yarn for the shuck. Tie a small piece by the tip, then cover it with thread down to the bend. The tag end should extend around half the shank’s length past the curve.

Step Three

Corn Fed Caddis dry fly with tan deer-hair tail and rust brown dubbing on silver hook held in vise for fly tying

Form a small dubbing noodle in the thread, then make overlapping wraps up the shank to the eye for the Corn Fed Caddis’ body.

Step Four

Orange-brown Corn Fed Caddis dry fly with marabou body and gold bead head tied on hook in vise against dark background

We’re now moving onto the wing using CDC feathers. Tie three stacked hackles by the tips on the shank, then clip the forward-facing excess.

Step Five

Hand tying Corn Fed Caddis dry fly: brown dubbed body, gold bead head and wispy white synthetic tail, fly tying close-up

To help the fly stay visible after it lands on the stream, secure a small piece of Antron yarn before the eye at the material’s center.

Step Six

Brown and tan Corn Fed Caddis dry fly with white wing post on hook in vise

Finish the sighter by folding the forward-facing strand toward the bend, then tie it down at the tip. Trim the sighter to half the wing’s length.

Step Seven

Corn Fed Caddis dry fly in vise with rust-orange dubbing, tan deer-hair tail, white wing post, gold bead head

Apply dubbing to the thread, then complete several turns around the sighter’s base for the thorax.

Step Eight

Hands using a vise and blue wing stacker to tie a corn-fed caddis dry fly with brown feather body and fine translucent thread

Trim the fibers from a CDC hackle, apply dubbing wax to the looped thread, then seat the feather fibers in the waxed loop.

Step Nine

Rusty-orange Corn Fed Caddis dry fly with wispy dubbing and hackle mounted in vise on dark background

The hackle portion is complete after turning the loop several times around the thorax.

Step Ten

Fuzzy orange-brown Corn Fed Caddis dry fly with spiky fibers held in vise for fly tying tutorial

Pull the material rearward, form a small head with the thread, then complete a whip finish. Now it’s time to pick apart the local brook!

Written by

Stephen D' Angelo

Stephen D'Angelo is a fly fishing expert with a passion for fly tying, gear, and time on the water. From small-stream trout to saltwater flats fishing, Stephen brings hands-on experience across a wide range of species and scenarios — and he's always happy to help you find the right setup for your next adventure.

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