Whiskey Creek Fly Fishing

Rene Harrop ties a mean caddis pattern, called the Henry’s Fork Caddis.  This pattern, and it’s brothers like Lawson’s spent caddis, make up a large part of my caddis dry fly box. It has many of the triggers for spring creek caddis patterns; low riding, segmented body, CDC, and the magical ingredient, peacock.

This is a slight variation, using a stripped peacock body instead of biot like Mr. Harrop uses.  I used the peacock to have a darker body. Also, the Harrop original has more of a 50/50 proportion between the body and thorax.

As most of these start off, lay down a thread base.

Tie in the stripped peacock herl, then build a slight taper with the thread. Before wrapping the peacock forward, apply a thin coat of glue to the thread to improve durability. This one uses zap-a-gap.

Select 2 dark dun CDC feathers and tie in as the under-wing.

Add an over-wing of a single partridge feather.  I used ruffled grouse here because it was handy.

Prepare for the thorax by tying in a couple peacock herls and a size 14 dry fly hackle.  This one uses a dun saddle.  The Harrop pattern calls for a dun dyed grizzly. A drop of glue wouldn’t hurt at this point.

Wind the peacock foward and tie off.

Wind the hackle through the thorax, 3-5 wraps.

Tie off the head, and trim the hackle on the bottom to be even with the hook point.  This allows the fly to ride low in the water.  I have to admit, though, most times I don’t trim the hackle and give it a try. If I’m not getting hits, then I will trim on the river with my nippers.

Here is the completed Henry’s Fork Caddis in a darker, Mother’s Day Caddis, variation.

Hook: Tiemco 902BL, size 14
Thread: 70 denier black
Body: Stripped peacock herl
Underwing: 2 CDC feathers
Overwing: Partridge (or grouse or quail)
Thorax: Peacock
Hackle: Dun saddle or neck