Learn Fly Tying for Beginners to Intermediate

The Stickfly

This fly has been popular with reservoir and stillwater trout fisherman since the seventies. It is an imitation of the caddis grub in its shell. The caddis grub eventually matures to be a sedge which is also popular with the trout. This fly can be tied on all sizes down from long shank 10s. Smaller sizes can be good on rivers.

Back in the mists of time when I was a young lad we used to turn over the bigger stones on the local stream and collect the caddis grubs in their shells and use them for bait, but that is another story.

This is a relatively easy fly to tie. You will have used all the steps at some time on the previous lessons. The peacock herl is fragile and does need the ribbing. You can give the body 2 coats of varnish and it will make it more durable. The hackle can be any shade of brown or orange. I have used brown partridge hackle to good effect, particularly on the rivers.

Materials

1. Hook - Long shank 10/12/14.
2. Thread - Black or Brown. If you tie some flies unweighted use a different colour thread to the weighted.
3. Rib - Wire copper,red.green or black.
4. Tag - Fluorescent antron or wool. yellow, green / lime.
5. Body - 3-5 strands of peacock herl depending on the size of hook.
6. Hackle - Henny cock. brown, ginger, orange or brown partridge.
7. Underbody fine lead wire. If not available copper wire.

Regards Dave C and The Team