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The pattern notebook · dry

Dark Cahill Dry Fly

How do you tie a Dark Cahill Dry Fly?

Dark Cahill Dry Fly is a dry fly pattern for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout. Find its 6 materials and 17 tying steps below.

Difficulty
3 of 5
Target species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
Pattern designer
Dan Cahill

Added to catalog · Updated

At the vise

Materials

  • Dry Fly Hook, TMC 100, sizes 12-16
  • Thread (6/0), Brown
  • Wood Duck Flank (tail)
  • Muskrat Fur Dubbing, Dark Gray
  • Dark Ginger Dry Fly Hackle
  • Wood Duck Flank (wing)

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Tying instructions

  1. Secure hook in vise with shank level

  2. Attach thread one eye length behind eye

  3. Bring thread to 1/3 length behind eye - this is where wing will be tied

  4. Cut wood duck flank fibers, measure to hook shank length

  5. Tie in wood duck fibers at 1/3 point with tips extending over eye

  6. Cut wood duck fiber butts at angle to create taper for body

  7. Lift wing tips and wrap thread tight against base to form thread dam, making wing stand upright

  8. With wing standing upright, wrap butts to form tapered underbody

  9. Split wing clump into two separate wings

  10. Pass thread through middle in figure-8 pattern to keep wings separated

  11. Bring thread to bend of hook

  12. Take rooster hackle fibers, measure to hook shank length, secure at bend for tail

  13. Make dubbing noodle with muskrat fur and dub body to 2/3 of hook shank

  14. Tie in rooster hackle under shank where body ends

  15. Wrap hackle three times behind wing and three times in front of wing

  16. Tie off hackle and cut tip

  17. Whipfinish, cut thread, and apply head cement

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