Monthly Tie-Off: Tom and Tim tie the Iris Caddis

The Iris Caddis is a simple but deadly Montana pattern for an emerging caddis pupa that works throughout the world. It can be fished as a dry, emerger, or even deep when combined with another heavy nymph or split shot. Who will tie the better version? You get to vote on this live event at the end.
Iris Caddis
Hook: Size 14-18 Tactical Dry Fly
Thread: Brown or tan, 8/0
Tail: Brown or tan Z-Lon or Antron
Body: Hare’s ear dubbing. Mix in olive or tan rabbit or other dubbing if desired for color
Wing buds: Clear, tan, or gray Antron or Z-Lon
Thorax: Hare’s ear dubbing

[@johnjuracek1848]

A historical note about Zelon-John Betts brought it to our attention at Blue Ribbon Flies in the early 80s. It was a discontinued Dupont carpet fiber, one of many different fibers of theirs that John and we experimented with. With John Betts, we did end up buying all that Dupont had left at the time. Our half filled up our garage; not sure where John stored his half. Blue Ribbon still has a very small amount of the original fiber. Zelon will actually float pretty well IF you spread the fibers out, as in the fly I gave to Tom that he shows early in the video. If you don't spread the fibers, they will mat together and hold water. Rough dubbing the body and head really aid in flotation and give a buggy look to the fly.

[@orvis]

Thanks, John for the added history on this one.

[@Rhsummers1941]

Only DuPont knows for sure

[@StephenSwanson-f1q]

Tim, what were the materials you used when you demonstrated tying this fly at the Lancaster Fly show?

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Ep fiber is phantex. If you treat your materials with a hydrophobic product will float amazingly.

[@peterkaminsky3890]

I don’t know this fly. I like the bugginess. The one in your vice looks buggy like a hare’s ear and your bubble looks like a Usual. You

[@groundfog]

👍🏻👍🏻