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Bloom’s Caddis Fly Step-by-Step:
With a visit to RMNP right around the corner, I’ve been busy these past few weeks restocking my trout boxes. This means a wide array of terrestrials, stoneflies, mayflies and, of course, caddisflies. While there’s no doubt that Al Troth’s EHC is the go-to when it comes to caddis imitations, I couldn’t help but use this trip as an opportunity to try my hand at a new (to me) pattern.
The creation of long-time Montana guide, Dave Bloom, his aptly named Bloom’s Caddis utilizes an Elk Hair down-wing and parachute hackle creating a buoyant fly that rides low in the water. Highly visible when paired with a “Hot-spot” post material, I have high hopes it will prove irresistible to the small stream trout that await in me in Colorado.
| Materials: | ||
|---|---|---|
 Tiemco TMC 100 or similar (size 12-18) |  Veevus 12/0 or 70 Denier (Black) |  Pheasant Tail or Turkey |
 Ultra Wire (S or XS; Gold) |  Elk Hair (Natural or Blond) |  Dubbing of Choice (Tan/Brown) |
 Antron or Para Post (White, Orange or Pink) |  Dry Fly Hackle (Cree, Brown or Grizzly) |
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Bloom’s Caddis Fly Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
(Mobile Viewers: Click images to enlarge or rotate phone to landscape)
Tips and Tricks
- Parachute Posts – To create the parachute post as shown above secure a 1.5-2” strip of post material (antron or para post) with two wrap of thread across the top of your hook shank. Pulling both ends vertical, make 2-3 wraps in front of and behind the post material. Finally, invert your bobbin and carefully wrap your way up the post material. This may take a little practice as swapping hands as you rotate the bobbin may be a challenge. Keep at it though, until the bottom ¼” of post has been secured with thread wraps.
- More than a Caddis – While the pattern above was specifically designed to imitate a caddis, Bloom’s pattern has also been modified to imitate other down-winged insects. In particular, Bloom’s Yellow Sally warrants mention as a quick change in dubbing color and the addition of a CDC underwing are all that is required to mimic these small stoneflies as well.
- Post as Hot Spot – Generally speaking, Bloom’s patterns utilize pink or orange post material as a hotspot to help the angler track the pattern on the water. In contrast, I utilized white as I’ve found it to be the most visible to my eyes when tracking a fly through polarized lenses. If you’re unsure which works best for you, try a few in both colors and take them out for a test run.
Proof of Concept
As with last week’s Step-by-Step, you’ll have to wait and see on Bloom’s Caddis. But with a visit to my favorite stretch of the South Platte and RMNP just days away, we hopefully won’t be waiting too long.
Tight Line!
Chris
Species Caught on the Bloom’s Caddis Fly to Date:
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My favourite fly in Australia – pink or orange post
Thanks, Neil! Do you find the Pink or Orange helps you track the fly? I substituted white as it is easier for me to track with polarized sunglasses on, but I’m curious what others have experienced.
How did you fair with this hopper pattern I did pretty well it was a very productive fly in RMNP
Surprisingly, this fly attracted very little attention. Instead, a Charlie Boy Hopper proved the go to pattern during my RMNP stay.