I primarily fly fish the rockies from Colorado to YNP in Montana. I want to tie a few simple patterns to represent the larval, pupae, adult and spent stages of the caddis.

I know that most caddis will be 14 to 16. Some smaller, some larger. I will probably tie patterns like Czech type nymphs or Rene Harrops Turkey Cased Caddis for the larval stages. For pupa, I can easily tie Mercer's Z-Wing or a soft hackle type of fly. For Emergers, the Iris and X Caddis. Adults for heavier water, the Elk Hair will probably be choice. The egglaying or spent stages will probably be patterns tied by Blue Ribbon Flies.

What colors of dubbing do you label as must have, in order to tie pupal patterns for western waters? I know that green, olive, and tan would be the primary colors for a lot of caddis. What am I missing?

Jeff