Paul's December 2016 Fly of the Month

Marts CdL Hen Caddis Emerger

Hook:  Diiachi 1180 Size#16

Tying thread:   Dark Grey or Brown 8/0 Uni Thread.

Body:  Tan Superfine Dubbing.

Underwing:  Cul de Leon rooster barbs, dark pardo (optional).

Flatwing:  Cul de Leon hen neck hackle, speckled brown.

Hackle 1:  CDC natural Grey.

Hackle 2:  Cul de Leon hen neck hackle, speckled brown.

The past few years I have “re-discovered” fishing wet flies.  I started out fishing them a lot because they were easy to tie.  Then I kind of got away from them during my fly fishing journey.  Glad I’m back to using them.  Although this particular fly is characterized as an emerger, I look at it more as a wet fly fished in the surface film.  This fly was invented by a gentleman named Martin Westbeek.  It’s the hackle materials that make this fly “come to life”.  I’ve had some pretty successful days with it. 

I wouldn’t call this an easy tie, but it’s well worth the effort.  To begin tying this fly start your thread behind hook eye and wrap down to the point on the hook shank even with barb of the hook.   Next, dub a thin tapered body, leaving the last 1/3^rd of the hook shank (behind the eye) without any dubbing.   This will be the base for your wing and hackle materials.  If you like, tie in a few rooster CdL feather fibers as your underwing.  You are now going to prepare your flatwing.  Take a hen neck hackle and stroke enough fibers in the opposite direction to form a wing.  Hold the fibers in place and lash it down on the  hook shank.  The ‘flatwing’ should extend beyond the hook shank approximately 1/3^rd the hook shank.  Cut off the tip of the feather and the ‘butt’ end after the tie down point.  Form an even base behind the hook eye for your hackles.  Next, tie in your CDC feather by the tip.   Stroke the fibers back and then make a few closely spaced wraps.  The barbs should point to the bend of the hook.  Tie it off and trim the ‘butt’ end of the CDC hackle.  Next, prepare a Coq de Leon hen feather in the same manner.  Tie it in by the butt end.  Make two wraps with the feather and tie it off.  Trim off the ‘butt’ end and whip finish the fly.  You may apply a drop of head cement if you  wish. 

Below is an instructional video on how to tie this fly:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month, I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@frontier.com .