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Z-Wing Caddis
Z-Wing Caddis, Olive
Tying Instructions
1. Attach a 1/8″ wide strip of turkey tail at the bend of the hook. Also attach a ribbing at the same location. Secure with thread wraps and bring the thread back to the bend of the hook.
2. Apply some dubbing to the thread and start the dubbing wraps at the bend of the hook.
3. Dub the body forward to about 1/3 shank length behind eye.
4. Pull turkey strip forward and tie off at forward end of body, forming the back.
5. Rib over body and back, using 6-7 turns of the ribbing thread.
6. Tie in the Z-lon Wings just in front of the body. I like to place a strand of z-lon around the thread and let the strand anchor to the proper location with thread tension. Place a couple of x-wraps to divide the strand.
7. Use thread wraps to sweep back the z-lon fibers.
8. Tie in two strands of peacock herl, and form a chenille. Now wrap a nice thorax to just behind eye.
9. Form small thread head and whip finish.
| Materials
to Order Material, click the link |
|
|---|---|
| Hook | Daiichi 1120 #12-18 or Tiemco 2457 #12-18 |
| Thread | Danville Olive 6/0 |
| Head | Peacock Herl |
| Body | Dark Olive Antron Dubbing |
| Shellback | Cinnamon Tip Turkey Tail |
| Wing | Ginger Z-lon |
| Ribbing | Danville Olive Thread |
Mike Mercer
Z-Wing Caddis
The Z-wing Caddis was designed by Mike Mercer of Redding, CA. as a caddis pupa pattern. The curved hook provides a good natural profile. There are usually three color variations to this pattern: Olive (for cloudy days and the fall) , Caddis Green (for the Spring Mother’s Day hatch), and Amber (a good choice year round). The fly shows distinct contrast with a darker back and a lighter dubbed body.
Materials
The back is generally Turkey Tail but Mike has also used Marabou, both which give a natural hairy appearance. The use of Turkey Tail also provides a mottled coloration. The Z-lon is tied small to represent a primordial wing that is just emerging. A collar of Antron, in front of the wings, is used at times to provide the distinction of the emerging caddis. The head can be peacock herl or marabou.
Presentation
A good mid-day pattern of a pupa, fish it deep under an indicator with a rising action. This is the transition where the larva starts to transition as an adult. The caddis pupa releases from the bottom substrate and starts to rise through the water column. Since you use it the fly in moving water, a bead can be useful in getting the fly to the closer to the bottom of the water column. The fly has also been used in stillwater conditions using short strips.
Variations
Z-Wing Caddis, Green
| Hook | Daiichi 1120 #12-18 |
| Thread | Danville Fl. Green 6/0 |
| Head | Peacock Herl |
| Body | Light Olive Antron Dubbing |
| Shellback | Cinnamon Tip Turkey Tail |
| Wing | Dark Olive Z-lon |
| Collar | Caddis Green Antron Yarn |
| Ribbing | Chartreuse Wire |
Z-Wing Caddis, Brown
| Hook | Daiichi 1120 #12-18 |
| Thread | Danville Brown 6/0 |
| Head | Brown Marabou |
| Body | Golden Brown Haretron |
| Shellback | Olive Marabou |
| Wing | Cream Z-lon |
| Collar | Light Brown Antron Yarn |
| Antennae | Dyed Mallard Flank, Woodduck |
| Ribbing | Copper Wire |