Emerger / Pattern notes

X-Caddis

A trailing shuck and low hair wing imitate a caddis struggling at the surface.

From hook to fly

At the vise.

4 steps

Follow this base recipe in order. The materials list specifies one hook size; adjust proportions together when tying another size.

Shuck
Attach a sparse synthetic shuck at the bend, roughly one-half to one shank long.
Body
Dub a tapered olive body, leaving room for the hair tie-in behind the eye.
Wing
Clean and stack deer hair. Set tips at the bend and tighten wraps gradually so the wing stays on top.
Finish
Trim the butts to form a small head. Whip finish underneath and cement the thread.

Beyond the bench

Dead-drift in the film during caddis emergence. Leave the trailing shuck sparse so it suggests a shed skin.

Tied by independent makers

No tyers have listed this pattern yet. Request a custom version, or add your own fly to the library.

Original written instructions adapted from the sources below. Materials and methods may vary between versions.