How to Tie the Reichil Day Free-Living Caddis Larva Fly

With: Fly Tying Zone, Dave Hise

This realistic free-living caddis larva imitation, inspired by the Rhyacophilidae family, is a must-have for targeting trout in fast-moving streams.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Create the Tail Section

• Insert a tail shank (Fish Skull Articulated Fish Spine) into the vise.

• Start your thread (e.g., Veevus 140 power thread in white) behind the eye, and trim the tag end.

• Select 3 Chickabou feathers (Grizzly color from Whiting preferred), align tips, and strip the base fibers.

• Wet feathers slightly and tie in about 1” past the rear of the shank, securing with several tight wraps.

• Trim waste feathers and tidy up the tie-in area.

• Whip finish, cut the thread, and apply Solarez Ultra-Thin UV resin to seal. Cure with UV light.

2. Add Two 10mm Shanks

• Insert a 10mm shank in the vise and loop in the tail shank.

• Start thread over the open loop to close and secure the connection. Use light wraps where the metal is sharp.

• Prep and tie in a strip of white Gamechanger chenille by exposing the core and securing it to the rear of the shank.

• Wrap chenille forward while stroking fibers back. 4 wraps are usually sufficient.

• Tie off, whip finish, and apply UV resin. Cure.

• Repeat the exact process with the second 10mm shank.

3. Add Two 15mm Shanks

• Connect each 15mm shank to the chain. Follow the same steps as above but make 9–10 wraps of chenille per shank.

• Periodically tighten the chenille as you wrap to keep it snug.

• Finish with UV resin and curing after whip finish on each section.

4. Prep and Weight the Hook

• Use a Gamakatsu SL12S size 1 hook (or equivalent short-shank stout hook).

• Wrap 10–15 wraps of 0.015 lead wire on the rear of the hook and secure it with thread. Push it into the bend to act as a keel.

• Flatten the thread with counterclockwise spinning and cover the lead smoothly.

• Whip finish and apply Loctite brush-on super glue to the wraps.

5. Add the Wire Connector

• Start thread mid-shank and tie in Senyo’s Intruder Wire (size for hook 6 or larger) so it extends to the hook eye.

• Fold the excess wire back and tie down tightly. Be careful not to cut the thread on sharp wire edges.

• Feed the wire through the final shank’s eye (tail section), and secure it with 4–5 tight wraps.

• Adjust the loop so it's not too tight or too loose—this affects tail movement.

• Whip finish and glue again. Let dry.

6. Build the Head

• Start thread just in front of the wire loop.

• Tie in chenille as before (11–13 wraps typically for this larger section).

• Whip finish and tidy the head.

7. Trim the Fly

• Use long 5" scissors for initial shaping.

• Start with a rough angled cut from tail to hook bend and head.

• Shape the sides thinner and taller. Use shorter scissors for precision.

• Trim top, bottom, and belly into rounded form. Use a comb to clear loose fibers.

• Keep trimming until you're satisfied with profile balance.

8. Color the Fly

• Use fly tying markers (e.g., Risen Fly, AD markers, Sharpies).

• For a shad pattern: use gray on the top and black to darken the head.

• Brush deeply into the fibers and blend with your fingers.

9. Add Eyes

• Trim flat spots into the head for secure eye placement.

• Use 7.0mm Fish Skull 3D eyes (ice color recommended).

• Apply gel super glue (e.g., Loctite Gel) to each side and press in the eyes. Adjust placement by viewing from the front.

• Let dry for a few minutes.

10. Finish with UV Resin

• Apply Solarez Thin formula resin between the eyes and around the front of the fly.

• Cure while spinning the fly to evenly coat.

• Optionally, add a second layer for a rounded head profile and cure again.

• Final touch: trim any long fibers sticking into joints for increased mobility.

Materials List

• Shanks: Fish Skull Articulated Fish Spines (Tail, 2x 10mm, 2x 15mm)

• Thread: Veevus 140 Power Thread (White)

• Tail Material: Chickabou Feathers (Grizzly)

• Chenille: Gamechanger Chenille (White)

• Hooks: Gamakatsu SL12S Size 1 (or similar short-shank, stout hook)

• Weighting: 0.015 Lead Wire

• Wire: Senyo’s Coated Intruder Wire (for size 6+ hooks)

• Glue: Loctite Brush-On Super Glue & Loctite Gel Super Glue

• UV Resin: Solarez Ultra-Thin and Thin Hard Formula

• Eyes: Fish Skull 3D Eyes, 7.0mm (Ice color)

• Markers: Risen Fly Tying Markers, AD Markers, or Sharpies

• Tools: Fine point scissors, razor scissors, 5” hair scissors, UV light, whip finisher, wire cutters, comb