Caddis Nymph

Fly Patterns
1

I was very reluctant to ask … a friend of mine called me and asked me to tie up some caddis nymphs. I said “Sure, which one”. He didn’t have a clue. He’s going fishing in Wisconsin in about two weeks and needs some. I told him I’d search and that didn’t help matters because there seems to be a large number of caddis nymphs.

Any helpful suggestions as to what I should tie?

Thanks,
Greg

2

Hares ear nymphs w/lots of weight might work. Ask what sizes and color most of them are. Instead of the nymphs, though, I would go with caddis emergers.

3

This one has worked well for me in the past. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/011705fotw.php

You might check other FOTW subjects for more.

4

The caddis life cycle (larva-pupa-adult) is different than mayfly’s (nymph-emerger-dun-spinner).

A good caddis pattern for larva would be a green rock worm, It imitates free living Rhyacophelia caddis larva that live in riffles throughout most of the country. It’s a good steelhead pattern (on a strong hook), as well as for trout.

http://www.theweeklyfly.com/index.php/TheWeeklyFly/2008/08/25/bob-jacklin-s-green-caddis-rock-worm-4-44

or this one tied by Hans:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw/21599fotw.php

Many other caddis larva live in cases made out of twigs and stones, so a pattern like a Breadcrust:

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/082806fotw.php

And this excellent pattern tied by Ron (REE):

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/011705fotw.php

or a simple cased caddis like this:

http://www.flyshop.no/flysel/barry/casedcaddislarva/

For pupa patterns, it would be tough to beat an Emergent Sparkle Pupae, which is a good searching fly for trout

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/120400fotw.php

Or a Deep Sparkle Pupa (especially good with orange or bright green bodies with brown heads):
http://www.westfly.com/fly-pattern-recipe/wet/deepsparkle.shtm

If this is for steelhead, I’d probably go with heavily weighted BH bright green and yellow rockworms, and maybe a BH orange or bright green deep pupa, tied on strong heavy wire scud hooks in mostly in 12 with some in 10 and 14 as a start… but hopefully some GL chrome guys will weigh in. Hope this helps.

peregrines

5

Need more info. What kind of waters and structure(ex. bottom, aquatic growth) is he going to be fishing?

Great looking fly Ron! Always thought some baggies of material for cases brought home from the target waters would be an awesome option for patterns like that one.

6

I would recommend a caddis pupae pattern

barr’s caddis pupae he calls it graphic caddis I would tie it with a fur body

7

Thanks everyone. Your suggestions have been very helpful.

8

You might find this link helpful from the Driftless Angler:

http://www.driftlessangler.com/seasons_hatches.php
Notice that black caddis stop around May, but the tan caddis go through Sept.

Another good Wis link: http://www.tightlinesflyshop.com/?cat=3
Here you can see what patterns are doing well this time of year as well. Right now terrestrials are doing well. Some black beetles would be a good addition to your caddis patterns for your friend.

Rick

9

i would give john barrs pattern, “barrs graphic caddis”, a try. i stumbled across it earlier this year, and for the two weeks i spent on the river, it was the top producer all but one day.

good luck

10

czech nymphs.

11

How about the Taboo caddis emerger… Great fly and very easy to tye…

12

Thanks guys. I’ve got alot to choose from and you all have suggested some great ideas. Thanks again.

13

Image;
http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/uploads/DSCN2684.jpg
Doug