Caddisfly - Size 14 or 16?

[wgmiller]

I need to tie a fleet of caddisflies and would like to zero in on one size, versus carrying the kitchen sink. The patterns will likely be two styles: Elk hair/CDC and Goddard. If you were to tie one size, which one would it be - 14 or 16?

 

[JerryC]

I normally tie a CDC and Elk on a size 12 TMC 2488. I just vary the body and wing color. It seems to be a good general size for most of the caddis I run into. I've tied them as large as a size 10 and as small as a size 20. I would tie size 14 if you're just looking at those two sizes.

 

[dryflyguy]

#16 is what I mainly use
However, #14 can be important at times too - especially during the Grannom hatch

 

[falcon]

14 for Grannon and Psilotreta but you can usually get the 16 to work. Other times I go 16.

 

[poopdeck]

There is very little difference between a 14 and a 16. I would tie 14’s or 16’s and not sweat it.

 

[troutbert]

Goddard - 14. The Goddard requires spun deer hair and would be difficult to tie in size 16. And they are used mainly as an attractor fly on mountain streams, so matching actual size of a caddis species is not important in this case.

Elk hair/CDC - 14 and 16. Both are very useful sizes. Or if you really want to tie one size, buy some size 15 hooks.

 

[turkey]

15's

 

[wgmiller]

View attachment 1641234755

15's

Odd numbered hooks makes me think of tippet in half sizes 😂

 

[Tigereye]

If I had to pick one it would be a 16. The majority of caddis I experience are that size. I break my caddis box as follows:
Black 18
Brown 16
Tan 14 16
Dk green 14 16
Apple green 16
Grey 16
Not that wide of a selection and meets all my needs on streams I fish

 

[rrt]

14

 

[wgmiller]

I ended up tying deer hair/CDC caddis in size 16 and Goddard caddis in size 14. I need to work on packing the body a little tighter and getting the proportion to hook size dialed in, but I'm sure they'll fish just fine. I thought that stripping a feather for antennae was a bit much, so I ended up using 2# Maxima Chameleon for the antennae, which was an idea I saw elsewhere. These were a fun little tie.

 

[shakey]

14 .

 

[Nocktavius]

Both! And add in some 18’s for real picky fish

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Tie six of each size/pattern and go fishing. Whatever you have the least amount of after a few outings is your answer. You can then just relegate the extras to dropper bobber duty - or send them to me. 😎