The Jelly Caddis was originally tied for Great Lakes Steelhead by Nick Pujic of the United States, using a product called Jelly Rope. I was unable to obtain this material in New Zealand, so I began tying the pattern with Stretch Cord with fantastic results.
Pink and chartreuse Stretch Cord Jelly Caddis are deadly for spawning-run rainbow trout, especially when the water is clear. The reason they work so well is that light coloured Stretch Cord - such as pink, light green and yellow - has fibre optic properties causing flies to glow under the water.
Jelly Caddis Recipe:
ORIGINATOR: Nick Pujic
HOOK: Heavy wire grub hook size 14-10
THREAD: Fl. Pink UTC 210 and Black UTC 140
ABDOMEN: Pink 0.5 to 0.7 mm Stretch Cord
THORAX: Black Arizona Synthetic Peacock dubbing or black squirrel dubbing
Tying Steps
Step 1
Tie in the single strand of pink Stretch Cord about 3mm behind the hook eye. Now spin the thread anti-clockwise to reduce the diameter, and then secure the Stretch Cord atop the shank with open thread turns. Make three tight thread turns at the bend and then return the thread to the eye in open turns, exposing as much of the hook shank as possible. Tie off the pink thread and attach the black.
Step 2
Next wrap the Stretch Cord forward and around the hook shank in closed turns. Allow sufficient space for the thorax when you tie it off.
Step 3
Twist the dubbing onto the thread.
Step 4
Create a substantial thorax, half hitch and tie off.
The chartreuse Jelly Caddis is tied with chartreuse and black thread and yellow or light green Stretch Cord.
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