A great little caddis pattern that has a few nice techniques. The super buoyant combination of CDC and deer hair make this pattern almost un-sinkable. Hook: Mustad R43 # 12 Tying thread: Petitjean SS Olive Abdomen: Fluorescent Green CDC hackle … Continue reading Tying the Midsummer Caddis
An extremely quick and easy, yet effective pattern that can be mastered by tyers of all levels. This Ugly or scruffy mayfly dun includes a few interesting techniques for making dubbing and applying it. Don’t be fooled by it’s simplicity, … Continue reading Tying the Ugly May
A truly effective pattern for when those hatches of small caddis are underway, or even just fished as a all round attractor. Simple and quick pattern that pushes all the buttons! Hook: Mustad R30 # 12-18 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 … Continue reading Tying the X-Factor Caddis
If you are a subscriber to The Feather Bender, you may have noticed a new look to the site over the last few days. It’ been a long time coming, but its here now! As a little celebration I will be drawing one lucky subscriber to win a signed copy of my latest book and a small box of flies tied by me. If you all ready subscribe, all you have to do is like this post and share it to one of the social media tags to the left. If you are not a subscriber, scroll down the column … Continue reading The Feather Bender’s Tying Techniques giveaway
Clarkes All Purpose Emerger is without doubt one of my absolute most productive trout & grayling patterns. Tied on a # 12,14 or 16 hook, as here, it makes a fantastic caddis pupa but on smaller sizes, even down to … Continue reading Clarkes All Purpose Emerger
A little twist on a well known classic with a couple old but good techniques. One of my most productive streamers, especially for sea run browns. Hook: Mustad S71 # 4 Thread: Dyneema Tail & Wing: Grizzle hackle tips Body: … Continue reading The Grizzly Muddler
The second technique for tying a deer hair parachute hackle with an extremely buggy effect, that will float all day long and then some. Continue reading Deer hair hackle suspender midge
One of the best little caddis patterns around. With an additional Glo Brite hot spot, when pulled through the surface film, this will bring fish up, just about all year round. Continue reading Tying a hot spot sedgehog
This skater pattern from Al Troth is a simple pattern but demands a little practice. Only two small clumps of elk rump hair tied back to back make this almost unsinkable. Not only a great attractor when fished as a skater, but also a formidable Daddy long-legs imitation for late summer. Continue reading Tying the Troth Super Skater
This is a simple technique for a double wing comparadun, that can be tied in various sizes and shades to imitate a whole load of low riding mayfly duns. Continue reading Tying the double decker
One of my little deer hair patterns that is super easy to tie. All you need is a hot spot tag and a deer hair dubbing loop, for an effective pattern that floats high and dry all day long. Continue reading Egg laying caddis
D The animal or Dyret as its known in its native Norwegian is a relatively new pattern, but one that has been embraced by Scandinavian fly fishers with open arms. It’s inventor Gunnar Bingen from Norway developed this pattern for … Continue reading Dyret dry fly
A simple but realistic extended body technique, that will give any mayfly dun or spinner pattern that little extra. If you enjoy watching the videos please like & subscribe to my YouTube channel below. Your help and support in … Continue reading Tying extended mayfly bodies
Don’t let this quick and simple pattern deceive you, this is a great pattern that should have a place in every fly box. Hook: Mustad R30 # 8-16 Tying thread: Olive Body: Two CDC hackles Wing: Bleached or light coloured … Continue reading CDC Elk hair caddis
A rainy day here, so I am trying to sort and tidy nearly 30 cases with various types of deer hair. I have to get rid of some, so when I am done, I will make up a few bags of good tying hair and randomly choose a bunch of my subscribers for a free bag. I’ll also be doing a few deer hair tutorials on the YouTube channel soon, so keep tuned. Continue reading Oh Deer!
One of the classic Scandinavian caddis patterns from Lennart Bergquist. Here I tie the original and the more modern winged variant, both killer patterns for most of the season. Hook: Mustad R 30 # 12 Thread: Grey Hackle: Dark Dun … Continue reading Tying a super pupa and a variant