Casanova Caddis


Imitates adult caddis. This fly's unusual deer hair dubbing gives it a very realistic look and separates it from the usual crowd of Elk Hair Caddis patterns. See the article Dubbing with Deer Hair. for more information.

A scraggly fly is OK, even preferable, because it imitates a stillborn caddis, with wings, legs, and pupal shuck all askew. The deer hair dubbing makes for a lot of bulk, so this pattern is best used to imitate the larger caddis species.


Match particular families and genera are as follows:

  1. Rhyacophila: 50% olive, 30%gray, 20% light brown
  2. Hydropsyche: 70% bleached tan, 20% brown, 10% gray
  3. Brachycentrus (Grannom): 50% black, 20% dark dun, 10% brown, 20% bright green (on some)
  4. Dicosmoecus (October Caddis): 50% rusty orange, 30% light brown, 20% dark brown
  5. Glossosoma: Brown species--70% brown, 20% black, 10% olive; Black species--80% black, 20% dark dun

Remember that the mixes look different when dubbed than they do when they are in a pile. Fill Zip-Lock bags with mixes, which will keep the colors consistent and save time getting the right mix when you only want to whip up a handful of flies.

How to Fish

Dress the fly with floatant and use standard dry fly presentations.

Tying Instructions

1. Tie in thread. Tie in ribbing material

2. Dub on deer hair body. Try to make a tapered body (easier said than done with this dubbing material). Dub about 70% of the hook shank.

3. Tie in CDC underwing. I know CDC is expensive, so don't just use the tips. Often I will get two (or more) wings from the same set of feathers. Make sure you use a liberal amount of CDC, because it is the most important component to the floatation of your fly.

4. Tie in the overwing material and trim excess. Trim wing to shape by pinching the sides together and making a 45 degree downward cut with your scissors, starting a little behind the end of the body. The result should be the classic "V"/tent shape that we associate with adult caddis.

5. Dub the head, leaving a couple long fibers to serve as antannae or legs.

6. Whip finish and trim.

HOOK: Dai Riki 300, size 12-14


BODY: Dubbed deer hair, generally dark brown

RIBBING (OPTIONAL): Fine gold wire

UNDERWING: Four standard dun CDC feathers or two CDC dun "Puff" feathers

WING: Brown Raffia (Swiss Straw) or lacquered feather clipped to shape

HEAD: Dubbed deer hair to match body