Featured Fly - Z Wing Caddis

The Z Wing caddis is a very effective pattern this time of year with caddis starting to emerge. Hanging this fly off of a caddis dry is one of my favorite ways to fish it when there are selective fish feeding. One other variation of this pattern is tied with a bead head to add a little weight.

 Z Wing Caddis

Materials:

Hook: TMC 2457 sz. 14 -20

Abdomen: Yellow Tan East Coast Dudding

Rib: Copper Ultra Wire (sized to match hook)

Back: 3 or 4 Peacock Herls

Wing: Lemon Wood Duck feather

Wing 2: White or Gray Antron yarn

Collar: Yellow Tan East Coast Dubbing

Head: Peacock Herls

Z Wing Caddis Pupae

Start off by making a thread base; tie in the ultra wire (copper) to match the size of the hook

Tying back to the hook bend add 3 or 4 Peacock herls.

Dub the abdomen. Green dubbing can be substituted for Tan

Fold the Peacock forward and tie off, keeping the herls close together to form a nice back strap. Wrap the wire forming a rib and tie off with peacock.

Select 3 Lemon Barred Wood Duck fibers, tie in  about 1.5 times the length of the hook. Select a short length of Antron and tie it in the center pointing it back on each side of the hook. Cut Antron to about half the hooks length.

Make 2 or 3 wraps of Tan dubbing in front of the Anton to make a collar. Finally take the 3 or 4 peacock herls and make 2 or 3 wraps to form a head then tie off. Whip finish and head to the river!

 

Nice healthy brown on Valley Creek.