By Tom Nokes
The Goddard Caddis, true to its name, was first tied by John Goddard, a well-known English fly tier, with the help of Cliff Henry and Aundre Puyans. This fly was designed to be fished in the more turbulent streams where traditional patterns of the day would not float for long. It works well on our own local streams and especially well on the pocket waters of Huntington Creek.
This caddis consists of a clipped deer body similar to the irresistible style of fly, making it a very durable and floatable pattern.
The Goddard can be modified by changing the color of the deer hair and the hackle color. The pattern below is the traditional dressing.
Deer hair is usually used whenever spinning is mentioned, but I prefer either caribou or antelope. These two materials offer several different shades and seem to be easier to work with.
Hook. Dai-Riki 300 or Mustad 94840
Size: 12 to 20
Thread: Black or gray
Body: Deer hair, caribou or antelope
Step 1: Tie in a small bunch of hair directly off the back of the hook at the bend. Do not allow this bunch to spin around the hook. When the fly is trimmed, this bunch will be the points of the wings.
Step 2: Tie in several more bunches of hair, allowing them to spin around the hook. Be sure to compact the bunches together. Do not allow the body to take up more than two-thirds. Most often it is recommended that you put the bunches of hair tip to tip or butt to butt when you tie them in. I haven't found that it makes any difference.
Step 3: Whip finish the body, and remove the fly from your vise. Before clipping, the body may be singed in order to further compact the hair. Trim the hair flat on the bottom of the hook. This cut should be as close to the hook as possible without the thread wrap showing. This will allow for the maximum hook gap. The second cut is made on a 45 degree angle with the top edge above the center of the hook. This same cut is made on both sides of the fly in order to give it a tent-wing effect. The tail is then trimmed on a downward angle to finish the shape.
Step 4: Tie in two hackles, using the excess hackle stems as antennae. Wrap the hackles to form a full hackle section. Form a smooth head, being careful not to tie the antennae down over the eye. Whip finish and cement.
