Dry FliesOlive X Caddis

The Olive X Caddis is a versatile and buoyant fly pattern that excels in imitating a variety of caddis species. The 'X' structure of deer hair adds extra floatation, making it a great choice for fast-moving waters.

Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty
Intermediate
Target Species
Trout
Olive X Caddis - Image source: The Feather Bender
Image source: The Feather Bender

Overview

The Olive X Caddis is a staple in any angler's box. Its high floatation makes it ideal for fast-moving waters, and the olive body can imitate a variety of caddis species.

Pattern Characteristics

Intermediate Difficulty
Trout
Moving Water
Spring
Summer
Fall
Imitates: Caddis

Materials

Hook: Standard dry-fly hook (e.g. Dai-Riki 305), sizes 12-16
Thread: 6/0, olive
Shuck: Zelon, olive
Body: Dubbing (rabbit/Antron blend), olive
Wing: Natural deer hair, cleaned and stacked
Head: Deer-hair butts

Fishing Tips

Season

This fly is most effective in Spring, Summer and Fall, during caddis hatches.

Presentation

Use an upstream cast and let the fly drift naturally downstream. An occasional twitch can mimic the erratic movement of a caddis.

When to Use

Use this fly during a caddis hatch, when trout are feeding on the surface.

Water Type

This fly is best suited for moving water, like rivers and streams.

Rigging Suggestions

Use a standard dry fly setup with this fly. 4X or 5X tippet is recommended.

Visibility & Floatation

The Elk Hair wing aids in floatation and visibility, making it easy to spot even in choppy water. The brown hackle also adds to the floatation and visibility of this pattern.

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