Leonard Wright wrote a book in 1972 called,"Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect - An Unorthodox Method".
In the book Mr. Wright outlines many methods of imparting action and life to a dry fly. He gives ways to do this with many existing patterns and so it is not a book full of patterns. There is one though that he takes some time to describe how it is tied and that is the fly on the cover of the book - the Fluttering Caddis.
The fly is very similar to many traditional caddis patterns from Spain that utilize Gallo de Leon for the wing and front hackle...the wing being the "kidney" feathers and the front hackle a cuello or neck hackle.
It is a fun fly to tie and a fun fly to fish skittered and danced as a bob fly. The action of the pulsating bob fly was well known to many historic anglers and mentioned specifically by one of my favorites Cutcliffe. Loch/still water anglers are very familiar with the power of the bob fly and why river anglers do not implement it more is unkown by me...and clearly Mr. Wright wondered why as well so he wrote a book about it!
Body - pheasant tail fibers 2 or 3 to keep it thin
Rib - extra small/fine gold wire
Wing - Spade hackle fibers
Hackle - rooster hackle sized to hook
Colors and size are to match your naturals. You basic red, browns, tans all work well.
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