Opal X caddis

Materials needed:
Hook:  Standard dry fly hook sizes #14-18.  I'm using a Mustad 94840 size #18.
Thread:  UNI-thread 8/0 tan.  I am using a gel spun thread in white.
Tail/shuck:  Amber or tan Z-lon are the most popular.  Green has worked well for me.
Body:  Small pearl tinsel wrapped over the butt ends of the shuck.
Wing:  Deer or elk hair.

Place your hook in your vise.

Start your thread.

Tie in your tinsel.  Leave the butt end of the tinsel long.  It should come up just short of the hook eye.

Tie in your Z-lon with one wrap of thread.  Leave your butt ends of Z-lon as long you left the tinsel.

Lift the butt ends of Z-lon, and wrap your thread forward tightly securing the butt end of tinsel to the hook shank.

Press your thumb nail down on the thread wrap that is holding the Z-lon in place.  This will distribute the Z-lon around the hook shank somewhat evenly.

Wrap your tinsel forward with open wraps, securing the butt ends of Z-lon to the hook shank.

Every couple of wraps, pull the butt ends of the Z-lon forward towards the hook eye.

Tie off and trim the tinsel when you are about an eye's length away from the eye.

Trim any stray fibers.  You can also just leave them.  They make pretty good legs.

Trim the shuck/tail to about the length of the hook gap.

Cut, clean, and stack a bunch of deer or elk hair. The tips of the wing should be about the length of the hook shank.

I usually tie mine just short of the shuck, and slightly longer than the hook bend.

Tie in the deer hair with 2 loose wraps quickly tightened to flare the butt ends of the deer hair.  Don't let the wing rotate around the hook shank.

Wrap your thread through the butt ends to secure it to the hook shank.

Trim the butt ends of your wing leaving a tiny head.

Whip finish and apply head cement.