Pyramid Lake Tadpoles
Gearing up for my upcoming fly fishing trip to Pyramid Lake in search of some big Lahontan cutthroat trout, I kept running across the Pyramid Lake Tadpole fly pattern. The Pyramid Lake Tadpole is a fairly simple pattern and can be tied up in a number of different color variations. The Pyramid Lake Tadpole is typically fished in tandem with a wooley bugger on a fast sinking line. Its buoyancy coupled with the heavy sinking line allows the fly to bounce back along the bottom of the lake as it is stripped back.
Material List:
Hook: #6 Curved Caddis Hook (extra heavy for strength)
Thread: 6/0 Black Uni-thread
Tail: Marabou (optional to switch out for Krystal Flash)
Foam: Loco foam (Northern Lights) Note: Loco foam is expensive so I tied a bunch up using regular 2mm craft foam and some glittery craft foam I found at the local craft store.
Underbody – Purple Estaz Chenille
Wrap thread on hook back to the bend. Tie in marabou clump. I have seen quite a few tied with a short Krystal Flash tail instead.
Northern Lights Loco Foam
Cut foam to 1/4″ – 1/2″ wide strip and secure to hook. I like to add a dab of superglue before laying the foam on the hook shank.
Estaz Chenille
Secure Estaz to the hook.
Wrap Estaz to the front of the hook, being careful not to crowd the eye.
Fold foam over the Estaz and secure with loose wraps, gradually getting tighter. If you crank down on the thread the first two or three wraps, you run the risk of cutting the foam.
Trim head and whip finish.
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