Improved X-Caddis

[Curtis Fry]

I am tying up some improved X-Caddis patterns and I can't remember what the "improved" part of the pattern entails. I thought it was the flash wrap, or some type of underwing. Rodhog, I know you explained it to me but I think I'm getting old and can't remember well.

Any help?

[UtahFlyGuy]

Curtis, are you developing a new secret weapon?

[Utah DaveII]

A few things:

1) 1 wrap of crystal flash through the body.
2) caribou wing instead of deer.
3) Dubbing over the front of the caribou wing.
4) tuft of zelon clibbed and underneath the caribous wing.

Personally, I've bagged the cairbou for a deer hair wing and I do not dub in front of the wing. I do crystal flash and zelon underwing. but you an dRod hog are much better tyers than I am.

[Curtis Fry]

Curtis, are you developing a new secret weapon?
I guess that's for the fish to decide ;o). I'm really just trying to build up my caddis arsenal. I've been lax with my caddis patterns the past few years and I'm actually getting jazzed about it more after seeing RodHog's box.

Thanks for the info Dave -- I knew you'd come through. I have some nice deer and elk I use for caddis wings, so I won't mess with the caribou.

I do have a new pupa pattern I've been messing with. I want to field test it some more, but I'll post pics of it later.

[My Tight Line]

I guess that's for the fish to decide ;o). I'm really just trying to build up my caddis arsenal. I've been lax with my caddis patterns the past few years and I'm actually getting jazzed about it more after seeing RodHog's box.

Thanks for the info Dave -- I knew you'd come through. I have some nice deer and elk I use for caddis wings, so I won't mess with the caribou.

I do have a new pupa pattern I've been messing with. I want to field test it some more, but I'll post pics of it later.


anyone here sell flies? How does that work around here? Cabelas does get expensive after a while and thier flies are not all that great.....

[S&P]

The X caddis is one of my favorite patterns to fish and tie. Thanks for the ideas guys!

[UtahFlyGuy]

I do have a new pupa pattern I've been messing with. I want to field test it some more, but I'll post pics of it later.

Curtis, I have a few test patterns for emergers if you want to swap flies and test. We can compare notes and all the good stuff. Lemme know.

[S&P]

anyone here sell flies? How does that work around here? Cabelas does get expensive after a while and thier flies are not all that great.....

Ever consider growing your own?

[My Tight Line]

Ever consider growing your own?



I would love to learn sometime.....don't have time to do so with School and work but yeah I eventually will take a class or learn from someone......I hear that there is Nothing like tying your own fly and catching a fish with it.

[S&P]

Just ran across this site while trying to find a picture of an improved x caddis: http://www.ultimateflytying.com/Caddis.htm While I don't see it on here there are alot of caddis patterns and ideas on this page.

[FishOn!]

I would love to learn sometime.....don't have time to do so with School and work but yeah I eventually will take a class or learn from someone......I hear that there is Nothing like tying your own fly and catching a fish with it.

I am still in this category too after several years of fly fishing. What shops offer tying courses and what are the prices like? There is one down this way isn't there (Utah County)?

[My Tight Line]

Great question.....I spend $15- $20 on flies everytime I head out. I bet I can buy $20 worth of materials to make flies and make 50 flies.

[cheech]

Caddis are a great way to learn how to tie. there are so many variations of patterns. There are the very very easy (chamois caddis), to the very complex (goddard). All of them catch fish too.

Tight wad.. I mean line;) Just kidding, I couldn't resist.

You should look into a beginner kit, and just research online. it shouldn't be too expensive, or time consumptive to start with a few basic caddis patterns.

If not, I'll tie them for you for $18 per dozen.

[My Tight Line]

Caddis are a great way to learn how to tie. there are so many variations of patterns. There are the very very easy (chamois caddis), to the very complex (goddard). All of them catch fish too.

Tight wad.. I mean line;) Just kidding, I couldn't resist.

You should look into a beginner kit, and just research online. it shouldn't be too expensive, or time consumptive to start with a few basic caddis patterns.

If not, I'll tie them for you for $18 per dozen.


I'll take you up on that.....I will ask you when I need some Mr. N. Chong.

[Lonnie]

to the very complex (goddard).

Goddards aren't hard, just time consuming. Actucally, I find them pretty easy to tie (but i tie boat loads of them in the summer....) and have a few tricks to cut down the time. The hardest part is triming them to shape (and where there's the biggest chance of screwing things up!) What I like to do is spin the boddies (using a thicker thread) and after I've packed/spun all the hair, whip off the thicker thread and trim them up. I think restart with a thinner 8/0 thread and tie in the hackle and head. Don't waste time with the antenna.

Oh yes, and did I mention that they RoX!

L

[Cary]

Geez, may as well glue a rat turd on a hook.

[Lonnie]

Geez, may as well glue a rat turd on a hook.

Maybe, but the goddard floats WAY better.....

[Curtis Fry]

Curtis, I have a few test patterns for emergers if you want to swap flies and test. We can compare notes and all the good stuff. Lemme know.
Next time you head out to fish some caddis, let me know...

[Aristera]

A pattern description and photo:

http://shop.flyfishing.about.com/fly_archive/details/1089.htm

[S&P]

Thanks. I'll have to tie some up and try 'em.

[jccollier]

Curtis, have you tried using floating poly-yarn for your underwing instead of z-lon. I tried this variation last year and I noticed a marked improvement and it saved me a fair bit of frog's fanny....you might want to give it a shot.

J.

[Curtis Fry]

Curtis, have you tried using floating poly-yarn for your underwing instead of z-lon. I tried this variation last year and I noticed a marked improvement and it saved me a fair bit of frog's fanny....you might want to give it a shot.

J.
Hmmm...not a bad idea. I'll give that a shot.

[jccollier]

Try this too....I prefer this method.....

Instead of clipping the wing butts, post them and wrap a parachute. It obviously rides lower in the surface film like a natural emerger....many good days on this type of fly....

J.

[Lonnie]

Curtis, have you tried using floating poly-yarn for your underwing instead of z-lon. I tried this variation last year and I noticed a marked improvement and it saved me a fair bit of frog's fanny....you might want to give it a shot.

Shoot, why not just use it for the whole wing. I'm sure that the look/sillioute will be similar. Now that I've thought about it for 2 seconds, I really like the x caddis because it rides not on top, but just below the film. I always use something like a goddard or elk wing to float an Iris, x-caddis or z-wing in the film to 1-6 inches below the film. I gotta stop now, I think I'm getting a woody, with dreams of warm summer nights after sunset....

[cheech]

Shoot, why not just use it for the whole wing. I'm sure that the look/sillioute will be similar. Now that I've thought about it for 2 seconds, I really like the x caddis because it rides not on top, but just below the film. I always use something like a goddard or elk wing to float an Iris, x-caddis or z-wing in the film to 1-6 inches below the film. I gotta stop now, I think I'm getting a woody, with dreams of warm summer nights after sunset....

When you get your woody, will you row me down the green?

[fulano]

Lonnie,
I need to learn your goddard tricks. That is one of the few patterns that I still purchase. I fishes quite well

[Lonnie]

Lonnie,
I need to learn your goddard tricks.

Fulano,

See my post above.

You gotta use caribou. You've got to pack it really tight to get the boddies to look right. It's better to use small clumps that big ones. The diameter of the clump should be smaller than a pencil. After you spin it, take the nail of your thumb and index finger and push it as far back on the hook as you can. On the first clump, don't push it too far, or it won't sit right on the back of the hook. Keep adding the caribou a bit at a time until you are about 2/3 up the shank of the hook. Whip finish and trim as described in my earlier post. I find it's much easier to take the hook out of the vise and trim it while holding it in your hand. Some guys use a razor blade to trim these, but I just use siscors. I then restart the fly with a smaller thead wrap in a hackle, and head and whip finish. It's as easy as that.

On a side note, I generally only tie these in size 14. Most of the species I'm imitating are about that size. There are some smaller ones out there, but I'll use an EHC for those.

[fulano]

The only time I tried it, the result rivaled the fly that you keep as a momento from one the swaps. It was so ugly, I decided to keep it too. I'll give it another shot sometime.

[Rod Hog]

Check your e-mail for tying instructions.