BEARSTICK CADDIS
The Bearstick Caddis: Taming the Darker Hatches By John Wilson For years, the original Broomstick Caddis has been my go-to for the tan and light-coloured hatches. But there are days—especially during those moody afternoons on the Grand River in Fergus or the technical waters of the Credit River —when the trout are keyed into something darker. That is where the Bearstick Caddis (or the Bearhair Broomstick) comes into its own. The Magic of the Root While the original Broomstick uses kinky calf-tail, the Bearstick relies on the roots of black bear hair cut close to the hide. This material is uniquely "puffy," mimicking the natural buoyancy of CDC but with far more durability. When tied with a horizontal wing and an olive body, it becomes a versatile Blue Winged Olive (BWO) imitation. I find these most effective in the smaller ranges— sizes 16, 18, and 20 . Tying Tip: The "Wild" Leg & Shuck One question I often get is how I achieve such a "buggy" lo...