Goddard Caddis
You can talk to Julie at
JulieFly@aol.com
Goddard Caddis
Hook: Mustad 94840 or TMC 100 #12 - #16
Thread: Black 8/0 or 6/0
Body: Natural deer hair, spun & clipped to shape
Antennae: Brown hackle stems, stripped
Hackle: Brown dry fly hackle
This is Caddis season around here & in many parts of the country. I like this fly as a caddis imitation; it floats like a little cork.
When working with spun bodies, the first thing to consider is material selection. For these smaller type flies, it works best to use small fibers. I use either Coastal deer (smaller animal = smaller fibers) or I like to use Caribou hair. I know, huge critter, but the hair is easy to work with & a good, multicolor.
When spinning hair a few things make this task easier: Start thread at the back of the hook, keeping most of the tying area clear. Work with small amounts of hair, fewer is easier to work with than a big clump. So.. Start thread; cut small clump from skin, (try using 10 – 15 strands) position hair parallel to hook, natural tips to the rear. Take a snug wrap of thread at mid-material. Hair should flare, Take another wrap, again snug. Let go of the hair clump, take a few more snug wraps. The hair will spin all the way around the hook, bottle brush style. Take a wrap of thread in front of the spun hair. Now, compress this hair with your fingernails (watch out for the hook point) the object is to crowd as much hair on the shank of the hook as possible. Cut another clump, & spin in the same manner. Cover the back 2/3 of the hook shank, compressing the body after each addition.
When no more hair will fit between the point of the barb, and the 2/3 point, whip finish. You now have a strange looking fly. Take this caddis body out of the vise; clip evenly into a caddis shape. Put back in the vise, re-start thread in front of the clipped body. Prepare & tie in 2 stripped hackle stems for the antennae (adjust the length later). Tie in & wrap forward a good brown hackle. Whip finish; trim antennae to proper length. Spun hair flies take a little extra time but are worth it. Start with a larger size till you get the hang of it.
Have fun & keep tying
Julie