Front End Loader Caddis
A hackle-stacker caddis built to hold a tungsten dropper — dry-dropper anchor.
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Front End Loader Caddis
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About This Pattern
A hackle-stacker elk hair caddis with a Callibaetis Super Fine body, Glo Brite tag, and grizzly hackle wrapped on a Sexi Floss post. Rides low in the film but holds up a heavy bead.
On the Water
How to Fish It
The Sexi Floss hackle post keeps the hackle off the film — fish hangs low without sinking. Glo Brite tag is the trigger.
When to Use
Dry-dropper water. Caddis emergences in flat water.
History & Lore
Devin Olsen tied his first Front End Loader Caddis in 2013 during practice for the World Fly Fishing Championships in Norway. The brown trout in the rivers they were fishing weren't dense, so he was covering vast flats with dry-dropper rigs. He needed a dry fly that would hold up a tungsten bead but also sit in the film to convince the browns to eat on flat water. He took the hackle-stacker style from one of his favorite mayfly dries and merged it with an elk-hair caddis. The pairing worked perfectly on Norwegian brown trout and is now his favorite dry-dropper dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Front End Loader Caddis should I use?
The Front End Loader Caddis is most commonly tied in sizes 10–16. Dry-dropper water. Caddis emergences in flat water.
What does a Front End Loader Caddis imitate?
The Front End Loader Caddis primarily imitates caddis adult, emerging caddis. The Sexi Floss hackle post keeps the hackle off the film — fish hangs low without sinking. Glo Brite tag is the trigger.
How do you fish a Front End Loader Caddis?
The Sexi Floss hackle post keeps the hackle off the film — fish hangs low without sinking. Glo Brite tag is the trigger.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Dry Flies
- Sizes
- 10–16
- Hook Styles
- standard nymph
- Imitates
- caddis adult, emerging caddis
- Water Types
- spring creek, tailwater, freestone
- Origin
- Devin Olsen
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catches logged by anglers
Pattern Details
- Category
- Dry Flies
- Sizes
- 10–16
- Hook Styles
- standard nymph
- Imitates
- caddis adult, emerging caddis
- Water Types
- spring creek, tailwater, freestone
- Origin
- Devin Olsen