The Balloon Caddis

[Old Jock]

I have recently tied and tried this pattern. I can safely say its a brilliant top of the water fly. It floats for ever and makes a very tempting wake for the fish . Last Friday night I hooked but eventually lost a fish at Hillend using this fly. Then had another half dozen takes and rises to the pattern. I believe it has better properties than the muddler but is fished in much the same way as that particular fly.
Its very easy to tie.

Hook. 10 Kamazan B170
Thread. Black
Body. Green Drake supernatural blend by David Rice
Wing. Elk Hair,prepare in a stacker before tying on
Thorax. Dark Olive Possum
Thorax Case. Green Foam purchased from Hobby Craft Store.

[Racha]

I was thinking of giving this pattern a go myself... In your opinion would color of the foam play a significant role on this fly? Would white be as good or you suggest sticking with green or yellow as original is tied with ? Thanks?

[North Country Angler]

One of my faves - deadly on our rivers through the summer.

[Old Jock]

I don't think it really matters what colour the foam is. I tied it with the green because it came to hand.
NCA? what size do you use for the rivers?

[North Country Angler]

I use anything from #12 down to #16 Jock. To be honest, I reckon this fly is a searcher rather than one to specifically match the hatch and as such, it performs best in larger sizes. The one I probably use most is #14 and I tie mine on emerger hooks to give the drop arsed effect......



....although the original was tied on a straight shank hook, so the one you've tied is spot on - nice work!

M

[jindra]

Originally Posted by Racha

I was thinking of giving this pattern a go myself... In your opinion would color of the foam play a significant role on this fly? Would white be as good or you suggest sticking with green or yellow as original is tied with ? Thanks?

I really like the balloon for river fishing, mainly faster riffles (it floats like a cork) and I tie them with bright red foam as it seems the most visible (to the angler that is).
I have tried painting the bottom side of the foam with black marker, but it made little effect to the fish and so I stopped bothering...

[bigtroot]

Great fly for rivers and reservoirs!
Seams to do well in a big sedge hatch for me

[horses50]

Tied a few of these and if i can work out how to post the pics i will.

[Racha]

Thanks guys about shedding some lite on color importance for the foam used ... will try few different ones and probably pick the most visible one (for myself that is )

[seanie]

An excellent fly and well tied