Simple Foam Caddis
Simple Foam Caddis
Based loosely on a foam caddis from the Hopper Fishing website this pattern keeps the originals ease of tying but with several significant modifications. The result is a pattern that casts and floats well, is visible and presents the fish with a more realistic looking profile that trout and grayling really like.

This fly utilizes only five materials, that are available in a variety of colors, making it easy to replicate the various caddis species. Simply adjust the size of the hook, the color of the thread, foam, dubbing and hackle and you can match your local Mother’s Day Caddis hatch or that tiny tan or black caddis you spotted in the bushes.

The recipe listed below is for the generic ‘tan' version of the fly, however, as stated above the colors of this pattern are easily modified to match those of a specific insect.

Materials
Hook: Tiemco TMC 3761 - size 14
Thread: Uni thread 8/0 – tan
Body: Rainy’s Sparkle Dub – medium cinnamon
Wing: 2mm foam – rootbeer
Indicator: Para post wing – fl. orange 
Hackle: Whiting-Hoffman saddle hackle – barred dark ginger

Tying Instructions
Step 1. Insert the hook in the vise and attach the thread behind the hook eye.
Step 2. Build up a good base of thread on the hook shank by wrapping the thread back to the bend of the hook. Continue wrapping the eye of the hook and then back down the hook shank ending just before the bend of the hook. This base of thread will help to keep the foam wing from rolling to one side while tying it in.
Step 3. Dub a shaggy body starting at the bend of the hook, dubbing to the eye of the hook and then dubbing back down the hook stopping at the 1/3 point.
Step 4a. Cut out a foam wing that is 1.5 cm long and 4 mm wide. Trim a small ‘V” in one end.
Step 4b.Position the foam wing on top of the hook shank so that the “V’ end of the wing is even with the bend of the hook and the square end extends out over the hook eye. Bind the foam wing to the top of the hook shank at the 1/3 point using 5 or 6 snug wraps.
Step 4c. Be careful not to over do it with the thread tension or you will break your thread or cut through the foam wing.
Step 5.  Capture a piece of para post wing with your thread and bind it to the top of the foam wing. Make sure to keep your thread wraps on top of the wraps you laid down to secure the foam wing. Trim the indicator so it is slightly shorter than the foam wing.
Step 6. Secure a properly sized hackle feather to the foam wing/indicator tie in point. Make sure the shiny side of the feather is facing forward towards the eye of the hook.
Step 7. After palmering 3-4 wraps of hackle, tie the feather off.
Step 8a. Next, advance the thread forward under the ‘head’ of the foam wing.
Step 8b. Pull all the hackle fibers clear, wrap a small thread head and whip finish. Do not cement the head as the adhesive liquid tends to run into the hackle and dubbing and gum it up.
Step 9. Trim the corners of the foam ‘head’ to create a more realistic profile.
Step 10. Trim the hackle fibers on the bottom of the fly flush with the point of the hook. This will allow the fly to sit lower in the water to match the stance of the natural insect.

Your Simple Foam Caddis is now complete and you are ready to head out On The Water!

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