Caddistrophic Pupa By Charlie Craven

Most insects have a certain streamlined appeal, but caddis pupae just look like something you pulled out of your nose. Their gnarley legs, gelatinous bodies, and budding wings combine to form one of the most unpleasant-looking bugs on earth, but trout love them. The Caddistrophic Pupa is built on a light wire scud hook to match the hunched up curve characteristic of the natural. Perhaps the most important and effective addition I have made to this fly is the CDC collar. When wetted down and saturated, CDC turns from an incredibly buoyant material to an incredibly lively soft hackle. I like to think that I have managed to take this ugly little bug and make it into something that has a bit of appeal to my eye, although as I get older I realize it really doesn't matter what I want in the fly, it's the fish who decide.

Materials:
Hook: TMC 2487 #14-18
Bead (Optional): Black Tungsten Sized To Hook
Thread: 8/0 Olive Dun Or Black Uni
Rib: Chartreuse Ultra Wire (Brassie)
Shellback: Brown Super Floss
Abdomen: Olive Hairline Dubbing
Wing Buds: Brown Super Floss
Collar: Natural Dun CDC
Antennae: Cream Shrimp Fluoro Fibre
Head: Black Ice Dub

[johntuttle]

When I think of fly tying, I think of Charlie Craven.

[lunkerjunkie]

I'm feeling much better about my spools of wire after your pro tip.
Thanks.

[cachi-]

Haha! I laughed out loud when you showed that mess of a wire, confirming you’re a real Pro, Charlie. Awesome looking fly!

[joeduca]

One of the best pupa I've seen, no useless adornments, everything moves or shines to simulate life. Freaking cool. Thanks.

[jack_batterson]

This fly hooked me the minute I saw it.

[GeorgeAkemanColoradoLife]

Love this pattern Charlie, thanks for sharing.

[joeborgione]

“Tangle that shit up as much as you can: it works better!” 😂😂😂😂

[tmarkk]

Loved it Charlie. Thx for the vid. Nothing better todo but tie flies. I’ll tie up a few of these.

[jamesvatter]

That's another great looking pattern.

[benpack]

Another great video. Many classics tips like "here's some thread you can't find anymore" and the professional wire organization system. The name is is outstanding. I wasn't sure about how effective it might be until you striped the antennae. Very buggy! I'll give some a try. Thanks!

[zafotbeeb]

The dark stripe down the back caught my attention as the sow bug patterns I tie are the only other patterns where I tie the dark stripe down the back of the bug. Love your attention to details that matter.

[RollinRollinReelin]

Hello Mr. Craven! John here! The guy in a wheelchair that fly fishes with spinning gear. Great video but can you tie it in other colors that will catch fish? Also should I tie it in other dull colors such az matt green? or other flashy bright colors like chartreuse?

[duderoony]

Dude, that’s a great looking fly. I’m going to try my hand at tying it! Not sure how it’ll turn out by my hand but we will have a go. Thanks for uploading another one dude. Keep safe.

[robertmajor]

Charlie for this fly I found Micro barred voodoo fiber work really well

[billcrelin]

this pattern was our saving grace when we experienced high stained water recently fishing sulphurs. Dries werent in the picture and Caddis were also about but conditions dictated using pupa. This pattern outfished my old standbys 10 to 1 . fulling flex floss on your site....should i go regular or micro for #16-20 ? Thx again Charlie

[pawoodsnwater]

Very beautiful fly, but absolutely way too involved to tye. I think another video to “dumb it down” using more common materials and less steps to produce a very similar end product would benefit the everyday fly tyer. Just a suggestion. But, like I said, a beautiful caddis tye.

[SAMBARANNA]

saya suka sekali ...sangat indah...izin mau cobain bikin seperti itu...

[tomherbert]

I have been trying to find that pale olive hare-tron and am having trouble. Has that color be discontinued? If so do you know any good substitutes?

[wyomingtrout]

Charlie - I am disappointed, I thought that you would use the dubbing collar method that you used for the Problem Child?

[raylutka]

Still using barbed hooks.. Thats a no, no….