Henryville Special
Imitates: Adult caddis
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #14-18
- Best Season
- Spring through fall
- Best Conditions
- Eastern spring creeks, slow runs, technical risers
- Water Temp
- 55-68°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 5X-6X
How to Rig It
Single dry, especially on slow water where the silhouette matters more than buoyancy.
How to Present It
Drag-free drift through sipping caddis risers. The flat mallard-quill wings give a perfect tent-style silhouette from below.
Why It Works
The flat mallard-quill wings replicate the natural tented wing of an adult caddis better than deer hair does, fooling selective trout on slow flat water.
History
Created by Hiram Brobst in the 1930s on Pennsylvania's Brodhead Creek near the town of Henryville. It became the standard Eastern caddis dry for nearly a century.
Pro Tip
Fish it where Elk Hair Caddis fails. The Henryville is a slow-water specialist — quill wings stay flat where deer hair stands up and looks wrong from below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Henryville Special vs Elk Hair Caddis?+
Henryville for slow flat water and selective trout. Elk Hair Caddis for fast riffles and pocket water where buoyancy matters more than silhouette.
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