Caddis trout fly patterns

The many Caddis trout fly patterns are designed to imitate the caddis in the many stages of its lifecycle.

The caddis group forms one of the most important food sources for trout. It is found in all waterways from fast flowing streams to stillwaters.

A huge proportion of the diet of trout is the larva or pupa stage of the caddis though trout will also rise freely to take the adult caddis as it either first leaves the river or returns to lay its eggs.

Green Caddis Nymph

Horn Caddis

Caddis

Free Swimming

Caddis

Tungsten Brown Caddis

Green Caddis Larvae

Caddis Emerger

Skittery Caddis, Dec 2002

Caddis Dry

Goddards Caddis

Bucktail Caddis

Art of Fly Fishing Calendars,
1999-2007
© Michael Scheele

After hatching from its egg form the caddis is in larva form. At this stage it is bottom dwelling. It is often encased in a hard shell and referred to as a horn-cased caddis though others in the family are free swimming.

Later the larva becomes a pupa and swims to the surface where it hatches in its adult form to fly from the river to mate.

It returns later to rest on the river to lay its eggs which sink to the river bed to awaiting the next round of the cycle.

Larva: Nymph patterns such as the Green Caddis Nymph, Green Caddis Larvae or Tungsten Brown Caddis.

Pupae: Patterns such as the Caddis Emerger.

Adult: Patterns such as Caddis Dry or Goddards Caddis.

The Hare and Copper is a good all round nymph imitation that resembles both caddis and mayfly nymphs.

Invicta is a good all round emerger pattern when trout are feeding just below the surface of the water.

Buller Caddis

Flash Caddis

Horn Caddis

White Caddis

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