Foam-Backed Hotspot Caddis

Written By Bailee Ross

A high-floating caddis for fast water & broken runs

Why it works

This pattern is a high-floating, ultra-visible caddis style that excels in broken water, pocket water, and faster runs. The foam back keeps it riding high, while the soft hackle and wing give movement and a natural silhouette. The orange hotspot tail adds just enough trigger without overpowering the fly.

It’s a confidence dry — especially when trout are looking up but conditions aren’t perfect.

When I fish it

  • Water: Pocket water, riffles, fast seams

  • Rig: Dry or dry-dropper

  • Best conditions: Breezy days, broken light, rising fish

Materials

  • Hook : Dry fly hook #12–16

  • Thread: Grey or white 8/0 Nano Silk

  • Tail: Fluoro orange hends Tag Thread

  • Back: Tan closed-cell foam

  • Wing: CDC Natural Dun

Step 1 – Thread base & tail

Start your thread behind the eye and lay a smooth thread base back to the bend. Tie in a small bunch of orange antron, glow bright for the tail, keeping it slim and about the length of the hook shank.

Tip: Less tail is more — you’re creating a trigger, not a streamer.

Step 2 – Build the underbody

Dub a thin, tapered body forward, stopping around two eye-lengths behind the eye. This gives the fly shape while keeping it light.

Why: A slim underbody helps the foam sit cleanly and keeps the fly balanced.

Step 3 – Add the foam back

Tie in a strip of tan foam on top of the shank, securing it firmly at the thorax area. Don’t pull it forward yet — just anchor it.

Tip: Keep the foam centered. Any twist here shows in the finished fly.

Step 4 – Post the hotspot

Tie in a short upright post of orange antron just behind the eye. This acts as both a visual aid and a strike trigger.

Why: This makes the fly incredibly easy to track in broken or glare-heavy water.

Step 5 – Wing / hackle

Tie in a soft CDC feather or similar material, sweeping it back to form a low-profile wing. Keep it sparse — movement comes from softness, not bulk.

Step 7 – Hare’s ear head & whip finish

Dub a small, neat head using hare’s ear dubbing. Build a clean thread dam behind the eye, whip finish, and trim the thread.

Optional: Add a tiny drop of head cement for durability.

Bailee Ross