| by Greg Senyo,
2008 Orvis Fly-Tyer of the Year
 I knew the Wiggle Caddis was a great new fly the first time I fished it. I was fishing a favorite section on an Ohio steelhead tributary when I noticed the pool I was fishing was flashing silver over and over again with feeding fish. But, after fishing the pool for over an hour, I’d had no luck, not even a take. The fish just plain refused my offerings of a standard caddis larvae and stonefly nymph. About a hundred yards upstream there were several females digging fresh beds in the river bottom so I knew caddis and stoneflies should have worked. When I switched to a wiggle stone and wiggle caddis dropper, within a few drifts I had a fish on. I realized the small, minute movements were irresistible to steelhead. For me that was the start of something special and time to rethink a lot of the patterns I was using and tying. By taking the extra step and time with my fly patterns, I have made my clients’ and my personal fishing all that much better.
What was missing in other patterns that I wanted in the Wiggle Caddis was precisely that movement that made all the difference; a realistic movement at the head and thorax. Most standard caddis patterns imitate only size and color, but fail to mimic the subtle and small movements the caddis makes with its legs, head, and thorax. It is this natural movement that can make all the difference in catching or not catching fish.
The low profile also looks a lot more like the natural. Many anglers don’t take the time to actually look closely at and desconstruct caddis larvae because caddis seem to be a very basic insect. But, by giving this pattern a more lifelike appearance and natural movements where they should be, the Wiggle Caddis constantly fools educated trout that otherwise might not take a regular caddis pattern.
To get the most out of the Wiggle Caddis, I fish it by either high-sticking or with an indicator tandem rig with the Wiggle Caddis as my dropper. These techniques work well for trout, salmon, steelhead, and even smallmouth bass. Pick up a selection today and increase your luck during caddis hatches on stubborn trout and steelhead.
Greg Senyo Named 2008 Orvis Fly-Tyer of the Year!
Greg Senyo, the 2008 Orvis Fly-Tyer-of-the-Year, has been tying flies since he was 8 years old. “I learned how to tie flies from Clyde Murray at Folley's End Fly Shop on Elk Creek in Pennsylvania,” Greg says, “as well as through practice tying flies with friends early on.”
Having the Lake Erie tributaries and numerous Pennsylvania trout streams as a testing ground for his patterns helped Greg push the development of new fly designs. “Our rivers and streams have become over-crowded,” he says “and the fish are highly educated to the standard fly patterns many anglers use today. Being different and using newer designs has increased the chances for success.
‘‘I like tying because as a tyer I can custom create whatever insect or forage food I think will work best for any particular fishery and conditions I’ll be fishing. And you don’t have to settle for what everyone else is fishing. Tying gives you a chance to reflect your personality and your individual style while still sharing in a sport so many people love to do.’’
Congratulations to Greg on being the 2008 Orvis Fly-Tyer of the Year.
Greg Senyo owns and operates Steelhead Alley Outfitters.
To reserve a trip, visit: www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com
or contact Greg at:
gregsenyo@yahoo.com or 419-466-9382
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