The Cats Whisker

by Dave Cammiss on July 18, 2007

Today we will be showing you the Cats Whisker, a fairly modern lure for stillwaters.

Do not be put off by this fly’s flashy appearance. It is relatively easy to tie and can be very effective. It was always the first choice of my fishing colleague Ken until I managed to convert him to nymphing. He still sneaks one on when the going gets tough.

The original version was tied with the head from bead chain from the plug in the sink. I prefer to use a gold or siver metal bead and I dont think it matters which you use.

The popular colour chenille for the body is fluorescent green but orange and red are good alternatives. You will find the Marabou used for the tail and wing strange to use at first. Just remember to wet the base of the fibres and form a shuttlecock as shown.

You will find the fibres get everywhere, if you dont have a den you may have bother with the wife!

 

Materials

  • Hook long shank 6 / 8 /10
  • Tail marabou white
  • Body flourescent chenille -- green / orange / red
  • Wing marabou white
  • Head gold bead or bead chain
  • Tying silk black

 

Happy Fishing

Dave Cammiss and The Team.

 

{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

carl locke June 22, 2008 at 3:51 pm

thank you for showing me how to do that fly iv naw
calt 5 fish with that fly naw

thank you

carl

topflyman June 30, 2008 at 6:29 pm

Hi Carl
Well done. Glad we could be of help. Just remember there is no magic to tying flies. Once you have mastered the basic it gets easier the more you practice.
Happy Fishing
DaveC. and the Team

Bill Hathorn January 2, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Ah come on Dave! This looks so good you are making me go out and buy more material :)

Thanks for the lessons. I enjoy them.

Gizz January 24, 2009 at 3:42 pm

I have been fly tying for a few years now, but your video’s have taught me so much more than i thought possible thank you very much

Paul Barlow March 27, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Hi David. Just started fly fishing and tying inevitably I am now getting hooked (excuse the pun). It’s great to be able to watch an experienced tyer guiding me through patterns, keep up the good work. Your other guests mention materials, there seems so many, my local fly shop (Stockport fly fishing) are great with advice and there experience is invaluable. There seems to be substitution of materials in some cases is there a list of like materials that can be used for the same purpose.

topflyman March 28, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Hi Paul
Thanks for your comments
There are too many different products available now that there are many overlaps
Tying threads are best kept to known brand like UNI THREAD
Dubbings are a minefield with modern materials phasing out old favourites like seals fur. Best use possum if you can get it,a dream to work with but rabbit and hare is also good and cheaper.
Marabou plumes are a must have in white,olive, orange,yellow and black.
You could get by on copper,gold and silver wire for ribbing.
Just have a look at the site on materials and tools
Happy Fishing
DaveC.and the Team

Roel Henk Gabaut September 7, 2009 at 10:54 am

hy David,

just wanted to say that this fly is very good to use in holland to. i have tryed it on a reservoir but the fish didn’t take anything so it wasn’t the pattern. the week after i went to a bigg lake where its very hard to catch the fish the last years. i tryed it the last hour and a half and had 3 strikes. because my leader broke 2 times i didnt catch em but it really worked there. gonna keep this one in my fly-box thats 4 sure.

ps: love u’r site, really helps me to ty from my home without going to clubs.
thank u for all the info

chears, Roel

woosy November 10, 2010 at 5:11 pm

i wouldnt stick that in a wains bunnet very poor quality do yourself a favour give it up

DaveC November 10, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Hello woosy.
Thank you for your contribution. The least said the soonest forgotten.
Dave C.

alisdair November 13, 2010 at 8:33 am

great help

mal jones December 27, 2011 at 5:01 pm

thanks easy and very helpful, it’s my first time tying fly’s

MooMoo January 3, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Thanks dave for you fly tying know how as I’m sure that you have guided and helped thousands of lost frustrated fly tiers like myself.
Happy New year

sternsteven January 7, 2012 at 4:41 am

hope this year finds you in good health and is less “interesting” than last year so we see some more videos

regards
steve stern

Dennis April 22, 2012 at 3:59 pm

Hi Dave, I’ve learned so much about fly tying from your videos and have found them to be a great source of entertainment. Do you know of any fly fishing instructional videos on the web that are as high calibor as yours.
Thanks and keep it up! You Rock!

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: