Dry FliesTangle Lake Teaser
The Tangle Lake Teaser is an Alaskan dry fly caddis imitation designed for a skittering presentation. Its Sitka blacktail deer hair wing and grizzly hackle provide excellent buoyancy for dancing the fly across the surface. The orange rabbit fur body adds a warm, visible contrast that draws strikes from grayling and trout in Alaska's interior waters.
Summer
Intermediate
Grayling, Trout
Overview
The Tangle Lake Teaser takes its name from Tangle Lakes in Alaska's interior, a renowned grayling fishery where caddis hatches produce explosive surface feeding. The use of Sitka blacktail deer hair is a distinctly Alaskan material choice that provides superior flotation and durability compared to standard deer hair. The undersized body hackle allows the fly to sit lower in the surface film during dead drifts, while the full-sized front hackle supports the skittering retrieve this pattern was designed for.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Dry fly hook, size #12–#14
Thread: 6/0 black Flymaster
Tail/Underbody: Sitka blacktail deer hair (or coastal deer)
Body Hackle: Grizzly, one size under normal
Body: Orange rabbit fur or similar fine dubbing
Wing: Sitka blacktail deer hair (or coastal deer)
Hackle: Grizzly
Fishing Tips
Season
Prime time is during summer caddis hatches, typically June through August in Alaska's interior and southcentral regions. Peak activity often occurs during the long evening hours when caddis are most active on the surface.
Presentation
Designed for a skittering presentation—cast across or slightly upstream and use short rod tip twitches to skate the fly across the surface, imitating an egg-laying caddis. Alternate between dead drift and skittering to find what the fish prefer on any given day. The deer hair wing provides enough buoyancy to support aggressive surface manipulation.
When to Use
Best during active caddis hatches when fish are rising aggressively to adults on the surface. Also effective as a searching pattern during the long summer evenings when multiple insect species may be active. Grayling are particularly responsive to the skittering presentation.
Water Type
Lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers in Alaska's interior. Effective on the glassy surfaces of stillwater where grayling cruise and sip caddis. Also productive in the moderate runs and riffles of freestone streams. Named for Tangle Lakes but effective throughout grayling range.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 3–5 weight rod with a floating line and 9–12 foot leader tapered to 5X–6X. A longer, finer tippet helps the skittering action look natural. Apply floatant generously to the deer hair wing and hackle. Can be fished alone or with a small nymph dropper 18–24 inches below.
Visibility & Floatation
Excellent flotation from the deer hair and double hackle construction. The orange body is easily tracked on the water, even in flat light conditions. The grizzly hackle provides a mottled footprint on the surface that closely mimics a natural caddis. Resists sinking even during aggressive skittering retrieves.
