Tying a Caddis Larva Fly

In the picture

1. 1Bare hook in the vise: the frame the whole fly is built on
2. 2Rooster feather: wound near the hook eye to copy the larva’s legs
3. 3Fox fur: twisted onto the thread to build a soft, buggy body
4. 4Thread: wrapped first as a base, then used to tie everything down
5. 5Finished fly: same size, shape and colour as the real caddis larva beside it

Examples

• An angler tying a few flies at the kitchen table before a weekend fishing trip
• Turning over a stone in a stream and finding caddis larvae in their little gravel cases

Quiz: Tying a Caddis Larva Fly (Age 16)

1. 1

   What makes an artificial fly a good imitation of a caddis larva?

   • It is bigger than the real insect so it looks like a better meal
   • It is brighter than the real insect so trout notice it more easily
   • It matches the real insect’s size, shape and colour
2. 2

   Why do fly tiers put a drop of varnish on the thread head of a finished fly?

   • To make the fly shine like a wet insect
   • To help the fly sink faster in the water
   • To stop the fly from unravelling
3. 3

   When tying a caddis larva fly, what is the fox fur twisted onto the thread used for?

   • Copying the larva’s tiny legs
   • Building the soft, fat body
   • Making the base layer wrapped first on the hook

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.