TYING A KLINKHAMER
Klinkhamer or LT Caddis was invented by the Dutch fly tier Hans van Klinken in the early 80s. The fly imitates a hatching caddis about to break out of the surface film. The fly has a proven track record and can catch trout and grayling in most waters. The fly’s body is a distinct feature that makes it visible to the fish from further distances, and you can tie it in different colors to match your hatch.
Materials for Klinkhamer
| Materials: | Size/Color: |
| Partridge | 15BN #14 |
| Antron Yarn | Fl Orange or White |
| Saddle Hackle | Speckled Badger |
| Uni-Yarn | Olive or Cream |
| Ice Dub | UV Black |
Video Instructions on How to Tie a Klinkhamer
Slideshow on How to Tie a Klinkhamer
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Step 1 – Tie in the Wing and Hackle
Tie in your thread and wind it onto the hook evenly until you reach the bend’s point. This is where you will attach both the wing and the hackle. To give the body a nice taper, we cut off the antron yarn used for the wing at an angle.
You can now tie in the hackle. If you want the body to go deeper in the water, you can tie in the saddle with the shiny side out from the wing. If you want the fly to sit higher on the surface film, you tie the shiny side of the saddle towards the wing. Post the saddle hackle to the wing by tying thread around both the wing and the hackle.
Step 2 – Make the Body
Tie down all fibers from the antron yarn and make an even base of tying thread back to the bend of the hook. Then go back to the wing again. Now you can tie in the Uni-Yarn. The Uni-Yarn will add a bit of bulk to the body. To make it an even meatier body, you can double the Uni-Yarn. Attach the Uni-Yarn with even turns of tying thread back to the bend of the hook. Take the tying thread back to the wing, and start winding up the Uni-Yarn in even turns. Tie off the Uni-Yarn just short of the wing post.
Step 3 – Make the Head
Make a dubbing noodle on your tying thread with the Ice Dub. The dubbing will be the head and the thorax of the hatching caddis imitation. Cover the area in front of the wing post and give it a turn or two behind it.
Step 4 – Make the Parachute Hackle
Wind the saddle hackle around the wing. Each turn of the hackle should be on the underside of the previous. 3 – to 6 rounds should be sufficient, depending on hook size and hackle quality. Tie it off on the wing. Finish the fly with whip-finish and some glue.
How to Fish the Klinkhamer Fly
Hans van Klinken intended to make an imitation of a hatching caddis about to break out of the surface film. We think this imitation is very good at this, and it seems that the fish agree. You can use this fly for sight fishing or blind casting for fish. It can be good to attach a small suspension nymph and try the Klink & Dink.
