Gray Caddis

Attach thread to hook and wind a base for the body. Select hackle for proper size and desired stiffness. Cut stem at juncture with webby and stiff fibers. Strip 2 or 3 of fibers away from hackle stem. Tie in hackle with 3 to 5 right thread wraps. Concave side of hackle is away from body.

Select the desired number of peacock herls and trim the bases evenly. Tie in herl at the front part of the body and wrap herl evenly to the base of the tail. Advance the thread forward to the front end of the body. Evenly wrap herl forward from the tail base to the front end of the body. Tie off with 3 to 5 tight thread wraps.

After body completion evenly wind hackle forward from tail base to front end of body. Tie off with 3 to 5 tight thread wraps. Cut off excess stem with scissor tips or pull back on hackle to break it off at thread wraps.

Tie in the elk hair as a down wing. Secure with 5 tight wraps and cut away excess.

Whip finish head with 4 to 8 turns. Pull tag end firmly and cut off excess thread. Place a drop of head cement on knot and allow it to penetrate both the thread base and hackle stems.