We’ve been having a superb October caddis hatch
this season, lots of caddis & good weather. Daily opportunity to try out
new designs. The hairwings are outperforming wingless pupa patterns, by far. On
the upper Columbia,
most October caddis hatch from the water, rising swiftly from the bottom as
winged adults. Liking the looks of the guinea hackle of Ray Bergman’s Sawtooth, I thought to try guinea on my
own version. Tied one up, walked down to the river & tried it this evening,
& it worked good. Fished about an hour & a half right up against dark,
working down the bank with an 11’3” switch rod rigged with a 210 grain head
made from an 8wt double taper line carrying a 12’ sinking leader made from the
running section of an old fast-sink line, the head backed with Amnesia running
line.
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Caught a nice redband, then
came up empty on three hard strikes before checking my hook. I’d tinked off the point & better part
of the hook bend on the rocks. By then it was too dark to tie on a fresh
one & things were dying down anyway. Going to fish this one some more. I
should note that they want it moving fairly rapidly, swung, stripped &
lifted.
Guinea & Squirrel October Caddis
Hook: #8 TMC 200R (Or your
choice. I like a 3x long hook for this pattern.)
Thread: Rust-brown UNI 8/0
Rib: Copper wire
Abdomen: Umpqua
October Caddis (rusty orange) sparkle blend dubbing on a loop of the tying
thread
Thorax: 2/3 natural bluish-gray
rabbit & 1/3 orange sparkle blend dubbing on a loop of the tying thread
Wing: Pine squirrel – tie in
a mottled turkey tail fiber on either side
Hackle: Guinea hen ~ &
finish
Flyfish NE Washington with Steven Bird: http://ucflyfishing.blogspot.com
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