Balloon caddis

[horses50]

I am thinking about knocking a few of these up to use when fishing the "duo method" my question is can i tie them on a b175 if not can you recommend a hook thank you.

[g bigtrout]

I use b170 for most my surface patterns,...just my choice as they are a medium iron

[monkeyhanger]

I would recommend TMC 103BL.

Nice lightweight and strong

John H

[bigbadtroutfisher]

Originally Posted by horses50

I am thinking about knocking a few of these up to use when fishing the "duo method" my question is can i tie them on a b175 if not can you recommend a hook thank you.

I wouldn't tie them on those hooks as they are to heavy for surface flies! use a b400 or tmc 103bl.
Robert

[horses50]

Thanks for the replies i will see if i can source some of the above hooks.

[sweenytodd]

Originally Posted by bigbadtroutfisher

I wouldn't tie them on those hooks as they are to heavy for surface flies!
Robert

Not always the case . Some patterns I agree will sink with these hooks but it all depends on what you are tying up and how buoyant the pattern is and what you want from your fly. I use fulling mill comp heavy weights ( same as 175s ) for some of my dries when ever possible .
As the balloon caddis is a very buoyant fly I would think a 175 would be ok , try it and see
Also sometimes the extra weight in a hook will get some patterns to sit nice a low in the water , in some cases this is the desired effect ..

At the end of the day it is horses for courses .............

[1973dereks]

I've tied my version of the Balloon Caddis on 175's for years and never had any major issue with them. The combo of deer/elk hair and foam negates the extra weight of the hook. I've never had one sink and I've put big tungsten beads on some of the nymphs that I had under it.