This 3-minute video demonstrates building tape-backed Caddis wings. The technique is fairly straightforward and produces very realistic Caddis wings. I hope you find it helpful.
Been doing this for years. Just shows you that nothing is ever new in fly tying. Cut the caddis wing to shape following the outline of wing burners or slowly dance a lighter round the edges of the wing while it's in the wing burner. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome Kevin. If you've have big hen-back feathers you can get two sets out of one feather. Be careful about mounting them right on top. If you mount them off to one side they'll cause your fly to spin when casting.
I knew the technique has been around for quite awhile but I didn't realize how long. I agree about the weight being a problem. They become submerged "egg-laying" caddis real quick in fast water. They float fairly well in calmer stream sections and in ponds.
Buoy them up with a couple of CDC feathers wound around the hook shank for a body and/or as an underwing. Try some foam as an underwing or palmer some hackle and cut out a wedge on the bottom of the fly.
