The pattern notebook · dry
Light Cahill
How do you tie a Light Cahill?
Light Cahill is a dry fly pattern for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout. Find its 7 materials and 12 tying steps below.
- Difficulty
- 2 of 5
- Target species
- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
- Pattern designer
- Traditional (Dan Cahill, circa 1880)
Added to catalog · Updated
At the vise
Materials
- Dry Fly Hook, TMC 100, sizes 12-18
- Thread (8/0), Cream
- Tail: Light Ginger Hackle Fibers
- Body: Cream Fox Belly Fur Dubbing
- Wing: Lemon Wood Duck Flank Fibers
- Hackle: Light Ginger Dry Fly Hackle
- Head Cement
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Tying instructions
Secure the hook in the vise and start cream thread behind the eye.
Wrap thread rearward to the hook bend, building an even base.
Select 10-12 light ginger hackle fibers for the tail. Measure to one hook-shank length and tie in at the bend.
Trim the excess butt ends and wrap thread forward smoothly.
Select a bunch of lemon wood duck flank fibers. Align the tips and measure to one shank length.
Tie in the wing at the 2/3 mark. Stand the wings upright with thread wraps in front and separate with figure-eight wraps.
Dub a thin noodle of cream fox belly fur onto the thread.
Wrap the dubbed thread rearward to the tail, then forward to the wings, building a slightly tapered body.
Select a light ginger hackle feather sized to the hook. Strip the lower fibers.
Tie in the hackle behind the wings. Wrap 2-3 turns behind and 2-3 turns in front of the wings.
Tie off the hackle, trim the excess. Build a small thread head.
Whip finish and apply head cement to the thread head.