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A Fly Fisher's Guide to Identifying and Matching Caddisflies: Part II

A Fly Fisher's Guide to Identifying and Matching Caddisflies: Part II

The Case for Caddis: Part 2

Having covered the life cycle and characteristics of each phase of the caddisfly in A Fly Fisher's Guide to Identifying and Matching Caddisflies: Part I, it's time to get down to the brass tacks and talk flies! With caddis patterns outnumbering the naturals 10 to 1, the intent of this article is to equip you with my top twelve patterns that can be used to match more species, on more waters, over a greater breadth of seasons.  We affectionate call these our Deadly Dozen Caddis Flies!

Larva & Cased Caddis Patterns

Tied on hooks between Sizes 10 - 20, both the naked caddis larva and its case-enclosed variations will most frequently be fished in sizes 14 - 18. While usually well-anchored to the bottom of the stream, the larva and cased caddis patterns become particularly effective during runoff or after an influx of water, which rises levels below a dam that can wash the juveniles free and make them available for feeding trout.

Jelly Cord Caddis Larva

Dry/Wet: Wet

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Yellow or Green

Hook Size: 14 - 18

Jelly Cord Caddis Larva


Better Buckskin

Dry/Wet: Wet

Fly Category: Attractor Pattern

Color: Tan with a Flashback

Hook Size: 12 - 16

Better Buckskin fly patter


Beadhead Breadcrust

Dry/Wet: Wet

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Brown/Grey

Hook Size: 12 - 18

Beadhead Breadcrust Fly Pattern


Caddis Emerger Patterns

Spanning the distance from the bottom of the lake or river through the surface of the water, the emerging caddis pupae offers some of the most consistent productive action for the fly angler. Fished both wet or suspended halfway between the water and the air, caddis emergers should be fished as a dropper behind your favorite dry pattern. They can be equally deadly both dead-drifted or swung through the water, letting the current pull it to the surface like the natural making a break for the air. While tied in sizes 10 - 20, your most productive sizes will be 14 - 18 similar to the larvae.

Lafontaine Sparkle Emerger

Dry/Wet: Wet

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan or Olive

Hook Size: 12 - 20

Sparkle Caddis Pupa

Z-Wing Caddis

Dry/Wet: Wet

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan or Olive

Hook Size: 14 - 18

Z Wing Caddis

Chewee Caddis Emerger

Dry/Wet: Wet

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan, Olive, Cinnamon

Hook Size: 12 - 16

Chewee Caddis Emerger

X-Caddis

Dry/Wet: Dry

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan or Olive

Hook Size: 12 - 20

X Caddis

Sedgehammer

Dry/Wet: Dry

Fly Category: Attractor Pattern

Color: Tan with Mylar Abdomen

Hook Size: 14 - 18

Sedgehammer


Adult Caddis Patterns

Without a doubt the most entertaining patterns to fish, the adult caddis flies will congregate around the water for esveral weeks, giving the fly angler ample opportunity to drop some dry flies on the water! The egg-laying caddisflies are both showy and plentiful, dancing and fluttering across the water, diving beneath the surface to deposit eggs, and returning to teh streams and lakes in numbers that can cover the surface. While the adults will be present in sizes 10 - 20, the most productive hook sizes will be between 14 - 20.


Elk Hair Caddis

Dry/Wet: Dry

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan, Olive, Grey, Black, or Pearl

Hook Size: 10 - 20

Elk Hair Caddis


Parachute Caddis

Dry/Wet: Dry

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan or Grey

Hook Size: 

Parachute Caddis

Foam Caddis

Dry/Wet: Dry

Fly Category: Generalist Pattern

Color: Tan, Olive, Black

Hook Size: 12 - 18

Foam Caddis


Missing Link Caddis

Dry/Wet: Dry

Fly Category: Attractor Pattern

Color: Olive/Pearl

Hook Size: 12 - 20

Missing Link Caddis

Armed with these Deadly Dozen Caddis patterns, you should be locked and loaded for action during every phase of the caddis hatch! Observe which life stage and pattern is receiving the most frequent strikes, and try tying on two or even three of these hot patterns to better imitate the swarms of caddis moving through or on top of the water.

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