Featured Fly - Soft Hackle Caddis Larva

This is a great fly to have in your steelhead box. There have been studies on a steelhead's winter diet that say over 50% of their food intake is some form of caddis fly. Winter months in the Great Lakes, and high fishing pressure can often times turn fish off of traditional bright flies. They will turn to more natural patterns, like over sized pheasant tails, any stonefly patterns, and one of my most recent favorites, the caddis larva. So next time you are having a slow day standing in Altmar, try a soft hackle caddis larva.

Materials:

Hook: TMC 2457 - 8 - 12

Thread: UNI Thread 6/0 - Tan or Brown 

Rib: Holo Tinsel - Gold - Small

Body: Life Cycle Dubbing - Caddis Green 

Under Body: .010 Lead

Collar: Partridge Feather - Natural Brown 

Head: SLF Bug Dub - Tan 

Step 1: Start your thread base. Once you are half way, add in the holo tinsel as you wrap back.

Step 2: Add about 15 wraps of .010 lead.

Step 3: Dub the body, leaving enough space to add hackle and dubbing for the head.

Step 4: Rib the body with the holo tinsel.

Step 5: Tie in the Partridge feather from the tip.

Step 6: Make 2 or 3 wraps of the hackle, or until it is a full as you like.

Step 7: Dub the head.

Finished Fly:

Troy with an awesome Salmon River Steelhead, that fell to a caddis larva

Oak Orchard steelhead that fell to the soft hackle caddis larva in the fast water