Featured Fly - Soft Hackle Grannom Caddis

Soft Hackles have never been my expertise, and I do not claim to know much about them. However with the up and coming Grannom hatch, I decided it was time to put one up. I came up with this simple guy two years ago to fish on the little J. It worked well, so per request from a couple readers, here you go. Again I am no expert, but this simple pattern has worked for me. Enjoy

Materials:

Hook: TMC 200R 14-18

Thread: UNI Thread - 6/0 - Olive 

Rib: Ultra Wire - Small - Copper

Body: Peacock Herl - 4 or 5 

Hot Spot: Lazer Dub - Chart.

Hackle: Partridge - Natural 

Step 1: Make a thread base, tying your wire in as you go back. 

Step 2: Tie in 4 strands on peacock herl. I like to break the tips off, this helps to make them all even.

Step 3: Wrap the peacock forward. Leaving about plenty of room for dubbing and collar.

Step 4: Wrap the wire forward. This will help making the fly more durable.

Step 5: Make a small dubbing ball. This will help keep the hackle up.

Step 6: Pick out a hackle feather, separating it to make a tie in point.

Step 7: Tie in the hackle, cutting the tip off.

Step 8: Make 3 wraps of the hackle, making sure it is distributed equally around the fly.

Step 9: Whip finish and cut off.

Finished Fly: 

The Little Juniata River

If you have never experenced the famed Grannom Caddisfly hatch on the Little J, now would be a great time to make the hike out to Central PA.

For the second time I have been lucky (maybe a little blessed) to hit the hatch in full swing. It is the first major hatch, the bugs are big, and the fish are ready to eat anything that looks like them. Joey and I got the report from the guys at our State College store and jumped in the car. This is how it turned out for us. And More!

Hot Flies: Black CDC Caddis, Egg Laying Caddis