Pink Tag Caddis

Pink Tag Caddis

The Pink Tag Caddis is a vibrant twist on a timeless classic. A close cousin to the traditional Red Tag, Fed’s variant swaps the crimson hotspot for a softer pink tag and replaces the hackle wings with buoyant poly-yarn wings, making it both highly visible on the water and irresistibly tempting to fish.

This modern variant shines as a general attractor pattern, mimicking emerging caddis, small terrestrials, or simply triggering curiosity strikes thanks to its subtle flash of colour. The pink tag provides just enough visual cue to grab attention without appearing unnatural, while the poly-yarn wings ensure excellent floatation and a realistic silhouette in broken or fast-moving water.

Perfect for trout in clear or lightly stained streams, the Pink Tag Caddis performs beautifully during caddis hatches or as a searching pattern when you’re prospecting new water. Fish it as a single dry or use it as the top fly in a dry-dropper setup.

Materials

  • Hook:Dry fly size 12 and 16.
  • Thread:Purple 14/0.
  • Tag:Fluoro pink curtain fringe.
  • Ribbing:Very small Grizzly hackle.
  • Body:Whitlock red squirrel dubbing
  • Under-wing:CDC Oiler Puff White.
  • Over-wing:Black Poly-yarn (treated with Scotch Guard).
  • Head:Grizzly hackle.
Pink tag caddis materials

Tying Instructions

  1. Start the Thread:
    Cover the hook shank with tying thread, creating a smooth base.
  2. Tag:
    Tie in a short piece of curtain fringe (about the length of the hook gap) to form the pink tag.
  1. Hackle:
    Tie in a very small grizzly hackle at the base of the tag.
  2. Body:
    Dub a thin, even body using red squirrel dubbing.
  1. Palmer Hackle:
    Palmer (wrap) the grizzly hackle evenly up the body and tie it off at the thorax.
  2. Wing:
    Tie in two or three CDC puffs on top of the hook shank.
    Use one CDC puff for size 16 hooks.
  1. Poly-Yarn Over-wing:
    Tie a small bunch of black poly-yarn on top of the CDC feathers.
  2. Head and Front Hackle:
    Build a smooth, sloped head with thread.
    Tie in another grizzly hackle, making three turns before tying off.
    Use two turns for size 16 hooks.
  1. Finish:
    Half-hitch or whip finish, then trim the CDC and poly-yarn wings just short of the tail.
Julian Tapping

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