The Caddis Fly

By: Aaron Jasper

 

The three months of spring are not only exciting because of the many changes that are going on all around us. Yes, the fishing is getting better with each new. We have mayflies hatching in earnest on many of the streams that we visit. However some of my most exciting fishing is during the many caddis hatches that we see on our streams right here in the North East.  

We have so many caddis species that I won’t confuse you all with crazy Latin jargon. I will explain what you need to know to fish these hatches and catch more trout.

 

The Imitations 

Lets start with fishing the larva imitations of the insects. Even though there are hundreds of species you only need about four different color larva to cover you for fly patterns. I would have some large, bright green larva in about a size 14 if I were going to fish the grannom caddis hatch. This is the first major caddis hatch on many of the Pennsylvania trout streams as well as on the Delaware River. This caddis is commonly called the Mother’s Day caddis in our region. Also, this caddis builds a nest and we have had great success fishing cased caddis imitations for months prior to the main hatch. 

The next three colors of larva that I would have are olive, green and tan, if you fish on the Farmington River in Ct you want to have some yellowish larva for the Winter/Summer caddis that hatch there on a year round basis. I would have these larvas in sizes 14 and 16 to cover all of my bases. The exception being the Winter/Summer  caddis which should be a size 18 or a 20.

 

The Pupal Stage

For the pupas all that I use are Lafontaine sparkle pupas in olive green or tan. This fly is one pattern that never gets old and the trout never seem to wise up to it. Gary Lafontaine was a very innovative fly fisherman and tier and his patterns have withstood the test of time and continue to produce on even the toughest of times. I would have these pupas in sizes 14-18 and make sure to have them with and with out beads. There have been times where I have done noticeably better using pupas with out beads.

 

The Adult

 Finally its here!!!! The caddis flies are hatching like crazy. The trout are slashing and jumping all over the place.  My number one caddis imitation has to be the Matthew’s X Caddis. This is a caddis emerger and works on every trout stream that I have been to in the country. This is a very simple fly by design. All the fly has is a shuck a body and a wing. Its that simple! Anyone who has fished with me know that I always like to use simple flies… it gives the trout less to reject. I would carry these imitations in the colors, olive, green, tan and black. Also, make sure to have a variety of sizes. I always carry the above colors from as large as a size 12 all the way down to a size 20. Having all of these different sizes allows me to match all the different caddis that I might see during the spring season.

 

Fishing the Imitations 

When I am fishing the larvae and the pupas I am fishing them as part of my standard nymph rig. I am fishing them near the bottom. Since caddis hatch primarily in the morning I have had great success getting out there at daybreak and nymphing the faster riffles. This is where all of the activity of the nymphs is taking place. I like to fish heavy weight to make sure my flies are on the bottom and the standard tight line nymphing as well strike indicator will take trout. I have also found that many times the larva or pupa color does not matter since there are so many insect hatching and moving around that the trout get very opportunistic and sometimes can be suicidal!

 

Fishing Caddis Dries

This is one of the few times that I will refer to fly fishing as “lock and load”.

When the trout are taking the caddis emergers on the surface you can have some awesome fishing.  Pick out a fish you want to catch and make a good drift and you will attach it. The only factor is to make sure that you have the correct size and color. Believe it or not there are even times that does not matter. I have been on the Delaware (which is considered to be a very technical trout fishery) and have caught trout on tan caddis imitations when the naturals were black and dark green. Caddis are one of the few hatches that can make a trout lose their mind.

 

Fishing the Egg Laying Flight

When fishing the egg laying flight in the evening I use the same X Caddis dry but many times I will attack a soft hackle of the appropriate color about a foot away from the dry fly. I use the X caddis as a strike indicator. Many times because the caddis dives to lay their eggs the takes will not be subtle. You can have great fishing well into the night using this technique.  

These are a few pointers that I hope will help you guys “solve the caddis mystery” and put more trout on the end of your lines. Go fishing and have fun!