Light Cahill
The Light Cahill is an Eastern classic that imitates the cream-colored mayflies that emerge in June and July evening hatches. Fish it at dusk when cream or tan mayflies are on the water, especially on flat pools where selective fish require exact imitation. The pattern's creamy body and woodduck wing give it an authenticity that consistently fools experienced trout.
- Type
- dry fly (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #12–14
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer
Materials
- hook: Dry fly hook #12–14
- thread: Cream or light yellow 8/0
- tail: Light ginger or cream hackle fibers
- body: Cream fox belly fur or cream Superfine
- wing: Woodduck flank fibers, upright and divided
- hackle: Cream or light ginger rooster hackle
Tying steps
- Mount a size 12–14 hook and start cream thread at the bend.
- Tie in 6–8 light ginger hackle fibers as a split tail.
- Dub a smooth, tapered cream body from bend to the 2/3 mark.
- Tie in woodduck flank fibers upright and divided as the wing; figure-eight to separate.
- Tie in a cream or light ginger hackle sized to the hook.
- Wind 4–5 turns of hackle in front of and behind the wing.
- Tie off hackle, build a neat small head, whip finish, and cement.
- Inspect the wings from the front — both woodduck or mallard slips should be equal height, upright, and parallel with no gap between them.