Caddis Patterns

[littlelehigh]

I am attempting to expand my Caddis selection in an attempt to be prepared for anything I may encounter while on stream as well as learning new or different tying techniques because I enjoy tying and I ran across this article.

http://www.flyfisherman.com/caddis/amcaddis/


Just wondering how relevant the caddis is here in the eastern part of the state? Maybe Heritage can help me out on this one.

How many variaties do most of you use and/or carry. Also what is your "go to" caddis.

 

[David]

I typically carry 3 primary colors of black, tan/cream, and green in sizes 14-18 (although I have some larger for grannoms and have numerous micro-caddis, primarily in black, in my box). My primary ties are elk hair, haystack, cdc, slow water, among others, for dry flies. My go to is the elk hair because I do a lot of skittering with my caddis, and this one stays afloat better....I can also swing it effectively just under the surface as an emerger.
Can't help you out with the eastern side of the state, but I would imagine they are pretty prevelent there too. Caddis are typically more resistant to pollution than the mayflies, so they do ok even in residential / urban settings.

 

[dryflyguy]

I use what is called a fluttering caddis - and it has been quite effective for me. I just tie it in different sizes and colors to match the specific patterns
A #16 tan caddis has been a particularly productive fly for me. I've caught fish on it throughout the season - and even use it as a searching pattern, when the fish aren't rising

 

[JustFish]

A good sub-surface pattern is an extended body caddis with ultrachenile.

first tie in a piece of copper. Then tie in some tinsel, the kind that looks like krystal flash. Wind the tinsel forward for the underbody.
After that tie in your piece of chenille, your tying this in at the front of the hook while leaving some room for your head. Line it up on top of thehook while you wind your copper wire forward. Tie the wire off. Then for the thorax tie in some peacock herl for the head. Leave a little room after the head. Tie in a soft hackle feather and make 2-3 turns. I like starling.

Great pattern, works great on stockies and wilds alike. I think the soft hackle combined with the free moving body are irresistable!!

 

[MKern]

I use, quite effective I might add, a caddis larva pattern tied with tubing. Olive mostly.

 

[JustFish]

MKern wrote:
I use, quite effective I might add, a caddis larva pattern tied with tubing. Olive mostly.

What kind of tubing do you use and how do you tie it on...I am assuming you wrap it?

 

[GreenWeenie]

I used to carry a bunch of different patterns but have narrowed it down to two- a standard Elk Hair Caddis with tannish/brown/olive body and my favorite and most productive Caddis pattern, the Henryville Special. I carry both in sizes 14 - 20 with 16 and 18 being the most productive.

 

[MKern]

Just Fish,

It is Roman Moser Tubing (Hillies) and it's like twice the diameter of harelines standard tubing.

I actually slide it over the hook, with just a single thread base underneath -- any more and it doesn't segment correctly. I then wrap forward the thread making segments by slightly pulling back the thread. I form the head and sharpie it to match the natural (usually brown or black).

I also tie one with EZ dubbing (but regular dubbing works just fine) with a back of scud back, ribbed with thread or mono, and a darker thorax and head -- again sharpie.

 

[Heritage-Angler]

Hi LL - I carry a whole fly box for just caddis dries and emergers. If I had to narrow it down to a "sane" selection, I'd pick the CDC/Elk, Henryville, Vermont caddis, LaFontaine ESP/DSP, tan soft hackle wet, and peacock/starling wet.

I also carry caddis larva out the wazoo, but tan and green would cover a lot of ground.

There's LOTS of caddis in the streams in these parts - I carry all those patterns in sz 12-20, with a few micro caddis down to size 24.

All that said, a selection of CDC/Elk and tan bodied softhackles would would cover most situations just fine for me, but I get all OCD when I spot an empty slot in the C&F boxes and have to tie some more. ;-)

FWIW - the CDC/Elk is my absolute favorite fly. I tie 'em in several colors, and probably fish them more than any other fly. I had the pleasure of meeting Hans Weilenmann (the inventor of the CDC/Elk) about 10 years ago, and he got me hooked on them (no pun intended).

 

[tomgamber]

Heritage-Angler wrote:
Hi LL - I carry a whole fly box for just caddis dries and emergers.

ditto

 

[littlelehigh]

Just wanted to give this a bump to see if anyone else has some suggestions

 

[flipnfly]

anyone ever use a hydropsyche larva pattern im curious on how it works in the south crntral and western parts of the state its supposed to be a free living and a net builder