This is a fly I often turn to in late September and early October. The late season caddis are coming off the water and around here it's usually in the late afternoon hours. A relatively simple fly to tie you can substitute a CDC main wing and dial it down for a slower water version. The above and below photos show this pattern with micro knotted pheasant tail legs but you can leave them off if desired. Tied on a Tiemco 212Y #16 this fly has proven itself in my arsenal for a few decades.
Ginger Snap | Fall Caddis Emerger
Hook: TMC 212Y or Hanak H 530 BL sizes 16-20
Thread: Veevus 14/0 ginger
Body: Polish Quill ginger (Holly Hansen Top Coat)
Wing 1: Ginger CDC x3
Underwing 2: Coastal Deer Hair
Legs: Knotted ginger pheasant tail
Dubbing: Beaver Belly or SLF Spikey Squirrel light or dark ginger
The above two photo shows an alternate hook for this pattern, the Hanak 530 BL, is a great
choice for those fishing in barbless only water as I often do in Pennsylvania.
Tie in Polish Quill and varnish with Holly Hansen Top Coat
Tie in micro knotted pheasant tail one pair on both sides of body.
Make sure legs extend around two or three hook eyes from bend.
Tie in ginger CDC 3 hook eyes back, 2 or 3 feathers will do just fine.
Dubbing a small collar around the base of CDC make sure the thread is covered.
Tie in a small clump of coastal deer hair I typically refrain from using too much
at this time of year the water is low and slow so I like it sparse. Finish
off head with a liberal amount of SLF or Beaver Belly.
A relative straight forward pattern that can be altered in color, size, and material bulk based on the type of late season waters you find yourself in. I have found that the TMC 212Y is a great all around light wire hook configuration for this pattern as seen above. The Hanak H 530 BL being a medium wire hook needs a little more deer hair and or CDC to float it longer but the combination is a killing fly!
~Clint Bova click here for cjbovarods.com