Iris Caddis Variation

Cheech - November, 2018

Many years ago when I decided to up my game from just staring at indicators all day, I was intrigued by the caddis hatch and the many differences that it brings from the lob and watch bobber techniques that I was used to. I began to tie and research patterns to be able to target the hyper aggressive fish I'd see right at dusk on my local river, and one pattern seemed to come up more than others, and it was the Iris Caddis. Developed by Blue Ribbon Flies, the original relies on z-lon fibers for the tail and wing, and a synthetic/natural blend for the body and thorax. Due to my recent addiction to squirrel for tying, I started to tie the iris caddis with dubbed squirrel for the body, and a squirrel hackle for the thorax. Needless to say, this fly is very effective, and I found that in faster water I will fish it behind a more visible pattern like the Palomino Caddis. Happy Tying! ~Cheech

Material List
  • Hook: TMC 100 Dry Fly Hook - 14 - 25 Pack
  • Hook (Alternate): Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook - 14
  • Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Wood Duck
  • Thread (Alternate): Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread - 8/0 - Wood Duck
  • Shuck: Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Amber
  • Shuck (Alternate): Bett's Z-Lon - Amber - Standard
  • Body/Head: Natural Furs Dubbing - Fox Squirrel
  • Body/Head (Alternate): Natural Furs Dubbing - Gray Squirrel
  • Wing: Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Cream
  • Wing (Alternate): Bett's Z-Lon - Cream - Standard
  • Head Cement: Hard As Hull Head Cement
  • Tools: Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
  • Tools: Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner
  • Materials & Alternate Materials Listed Below
    Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Yarn - Fly Fish Food
    Sparkle Emerger Yarn - Yarn - Fly Fish Food

    Sparkle Emerger Yarn

    $4.25
    TMC 100 Dry Fly Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    TMC 100 Dry Fly Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    TMC 100 Dry Fly Hook

    $37.99
    Natural Furs Dubbing - Dubbing - Fly Fish Food
    Natural Furs Dubbing - Dubbing - Fly Fish Food

    Natural Furs Dubbing

    $3.49
    Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook
    Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook

    Daiichi 1180 - Standard Dry Fly Hook

    $9.99
    Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner - Tools & Vises - Fly Fish Food
    Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner - Tools & Vises - Fly Fish Food

    Loon Gator Grip Dubbing Spinner

    $20.00
    TMC 101 Dry Fly Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    TMC 101 Dry Fly Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    TMC 101 Dry Fly Hook

    $22.75
    TMC 100B Dry Fly Hook, Black Nickel - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    TMC 100B Dry Fly Hook, Black Nickel - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    TMC 100B Dry Fly Hook, Black Nickel

    $11.25
    Hard As Hull Head Cement - UV Resin & Adhesives - Fly Fish Food
    Hard As Hull Head Cement - UV Resin & Adhesives - Fly Fish Food

    Hard As Hull Head Cement

    $8.99
    Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook
    Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook

    Daiichi 1110 - Wide Gape Dry Fly Hook

    $9.99
    Umpqua U001 Dry Fly Hook - 50 pack - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    Umpqua U001 Dry Fly Hook - 50 pack - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    Umpqua U001 Dry Fly Hook - 50 pack

    $8.46
    Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4
    Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4

    Dr. Slick Razor Scissors - 4"

    $37.00
    TMC Tiemco 9300 Dry & Wet Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    TMC Tiemco 9300 Dry & Wet Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    TMC Tiemco 9300 Dry & Wet Hook

    $11.25
    Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
    Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher

    Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher

    $34.64
    TMC Tiemco 102Y Dry Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    TMC Tiemco 102Y Dry Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    TMC Tiemco 102Y Dry Hook

    $11.99
    Umpqua U002 Dry Fly Hook - 50 pack - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    Umpqua U002 Dry Fly Hook - 50 pack - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    Umpqua U002 Dry Fly Hook - 50 pack

    $8.46
    Fulling Mill 1310 - Down Eye Dry Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    Fulling Mill 1310 - Down Eye Dry Hook - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    Fulling Mill 1310 - Down Eye Dry Hook

    $14.26
    Penetrator Hard As Hull Head Cement - UV Resin & Adhesives - Fly Fish Food
    Penetrator Hard As Hull Head Cement - UV Resin & Adhesives - Fly Fish Food

    Penetrator Hard As Hull Head Cement

    $8.99
    Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food
    Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium - Hooks & Shanks - Fly Fish Food

    Fulling Mill 1550 - All Purpose Medium

    $11.25