This is just a ‘general’ question for those of you who spend a lot of time fishing caddis! It’s not about any particular pattern, so I post it here.
Which form of caddis do you have the most success with; larva, pupa,emergers, or adults ?
I like to fish the emergers mainly because I feel more confident fishing them, but I should spend more time fishing the others.
What works for you ???
Hi Quill,
I have had my most success using laraval imitations, fished mostly bouncing on the bottom. Here in the East, I have a “local” pattern which I have caught trout on in every state I have fished in, at all times of the year. It is called the Sand Caddis and is very simple:
Hook: #12 to #16 Mustad 3xl or 37160 (curved shank, #16 to 20)
Body: Ginger Australian Possum (various shades have all worked for me)
Ribbing: Gold fine wire
Legs (optional): lemon woodduck or substitute, tied beard style
Head: dark brown mink with lots of guard hairs
You can tie them weighted or unweighted. It is possible that the trout take it for a cased caddis, in addition to the tan caddis species which hatch here throughout most of May and into June…
Good Luck!
I used to fish adult patterns (Elk Hair Caddis) most of the time, at least here in the East, primarily for visibility; it also served as an excellent general attractor. Out west, where I’ve hit some pretty heavy caddis hatches, I found emergers worked better and fished mostly Iris Caddis, X-Caddis/X2 Caddis, etc. Last year I started using CDC & Elk and found it was pretty effective throughout the hatch and that’s become my go-to fly, as an attractor on the little local freestoner, and on the larger western streams when there’s any caddis activity.
Regards,
Scott
John,
I’ve had good luck fishing a tandem rig of an EHC with either an emerger or pupa or nymph as the dropper. It seems to broaden the appeal and catch more trout!
John,
Gotta say it’s a toss-up between the high floating Elk Hair Caddis, and the lower profile of Cutter’s E/C Caddis. Both have been tremendous producers for me in the Sierra streams that I love to visit. Have to say though, I’ve also used the Henry’s Fork Caddis and the results have been pretty good–not the same as the EHC or the E/C, but probably 'cause I just don’t fish it as much.
John
Standard EHC dries and Emergent Sparkle Caddis are always in my fly box, as are several latex caddis for imitating larva.
Still field testing several different subsurface pupa patterns as well as a few for cased caddis.
I fish the EHC more than any fly in my box. Aside from the EHC, my most productive caddis pattern is a beadhead Pupa.
I’ve had pretty good luck fishing several caddis patterns, but the one I go to most often is a ehc, but more of an emerger pattern. Really seems to do the trick.
One of my favorite larval pattern is some green micro or off white chenille, tied behing a thorax of peacock hearl and a green glass bead. Works like a charm.
It’s nice to see we have a good following of caddis fishermen!
Thanks for all the good input. I have a follow-up question though.
What type of dubbing can I use to imitate the ‘larva case’ or the ‘pupa body’ . Is ‘swiss straw’ used as a dubbing or rope, or is that only for wing material?
I saw this video by Davie McPhail tying a caddis pupa, where he dubbed the body( straw-like material), but he didn’t say what it was! Anyone know what material he used in this video? Is it ‘seal’s fur’ ? I see that mentioned in the comments below, but that didn’t look like fur to me !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfm_nrpEL5U
Thanks…
I agree with this 100%
John,
FWIW, and this is only because I’ve really been immersed in furled body flies lately, specifically the flies of Ken Hanley…
Ken’s “Rockworm Larva” (caddis) uses a furled body of dark olive and olive antron. Tied up with a bead, some copper or gold ribbing, a peacock herl thorax, and some widgeon legs (I use partridge), and you’ve got a killer fly. I haven’t seen Davie’s caddis pupa video yet, but will make a note to do so.
Gotta love those caddis 
John
I just picked up the Spring, 2010 issue of Fly Tyer and on Page 20, there are some really simple and realistic pupa patterns. Check it out…
Soft hackles!
As caddis emerger imitation.
R
I love fishing the caddis dries just because it’s so cool to watch the fish crash into them (there are no subtle rises during a caddis hatch), but in a fit of honesty would have to admit the emergers are more effective. I fish a lot of soft hackles in those situations and tend to dub the bodies with antron. It has just enough sparkle to simulate the air bubble that forms under the shuck as the pupa heads to the surface.
I am most successful with various adult patterns. My favorite is Olive CDC Elk Hair Caddis. My second fave are plain Elk Hair version and the Goddard Caddis. Mostly in #16, followed by #14. They catch fish.