The Complete Fly Fisherman – August-September 2019

To give you an impression of the caddis

wing forms that I have tried and used

over the years, refer to diagrams 1 - 7 (in

the sedges table). The first five diagrams

show styles that will be tied down exactly

like the wings of a realistic adult caddis

fly. The cutting techniques are very sim-

ple. Depending on what wing you are

going to use, you cut out a triangle, rec-

tangle or square shape and fold it exactly

in the middle. Then take a waterproof

marker and draw the shapes as shown in

diagrams 1 - 13. On the right-hand side

of each table you will see the wing forms

that were created after cutting, and then

the open sheet of material again.

Diagram C shows how the wing stub

is cut to a shape so that it will tie into the

body of the fly without an unsightly

bulge, while diagrams 6 and 7 show two

wing forms which, in my experience, give

the best floating properties. Basically, the

wing is first tied in at point A before the

body is constructed. Once the body is

complete, the wing is pulled over and tied

in at point B. This, however, places the

wings exactly opposite to the shapes

showed in diagram 1 - 5. Flies tied in this

way will always land perfectly on the

water, float far better as nature intended

(never flat-winged), and still appear

appetising to the fish. I learnt this great

technique from my late American friend

Dick Nelson who was a fly-tying legend.

Dick designed the famous Aztec fly in the

same year I started fly-tying (1976). His

Bonefish Killer, although particularly

designed for Christmas Island, has out-

fished the Gotcha and Crazy Charlie at

many other locations worldwide. The

unique placement of the golden eyes at

the rear of the shank of a golden hook,

guarantee the correct orientation of the

fly on every cast. In recognition of his

commitment to teaching fly-tying, the

Federation of Fly Fishers created the Dick

Nelson Fly Tying Teaching Award in

2000.

Many modern wing materials can

also be used for shrimp backs or even for

stonefly patterns. For shrimps or caddis

larvae, it’s slightly different. Instead of

a three-cornered piece, you cut a little

rectangle shape first, fold it and cut out

the shape as shown in diagram 8. The

wing is tied in at point A, and after the

body is completed, the wing is pulled over

and secured by your ribbing for extra

durability.

TCFF | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 | 63

SEDGES

DIAGRAM 1

DIAGRAM 2

DIAGRAM 3

DIAGRAM 4

DIAGRAM 5

DIAGRAM 6

DIAGRAM 7

DIAGRAM 8

DIAGRAM 9

DIAGRAM 10

OTHER FLIES

Point A

Point A

Point A

Point B

Point B