October Caddis Hatches

October Caddis Hatches, big fish on the surface is the attraction.

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Very large trout and steelhead will eat October Caddis.

October Caddis Hatches
Big fish on the surface is the attraction.
The Pacific Northwest has some spectacular giant caddis hatches. Most of these hatches are in the fall, but some cold spring creeks have hatches through much of the winter and into the spring as

well. The fat bodies of winged adults are in colors that range from light tanish orange to yellowish orange to bright orange to burnt orange. Wings are usually gray but there are also brown tones. There are apparently a number of different sub-species in what is commonly called October Caddis or Fall Caddis or Giant Caddis. Most belong to the family Dicosmoecus. They range from California to Alaska.
The larva of these giant caddis build tube-like cases. During the winter months when the larva are tiny, these cases are made from vegetable matter attached to a foundation of silk. As the larva grows in size through the spring months they abruptly switch to cases made from small gravel. You can observe these larvae crawling around on the streambed dragging their cases with them as the forage for algae and decaying plant and animal matter. During the the summer months of June and July Dicosmoecus larvae are important trout foods. Daily behavioral drift cycles occur in the early afternoon, usually peaking about 4:00 P.M. They are one of the few families of caddis that leave their cases before behavioral drift cycles. This makes them extremely enticing to large trout. In August these larvae seal themselves in their cases and by September they are ready to emerge as adults.

Emergence occurs from late afternoon until dark. The pupae usually swim and crawl to shallow water, but some emerge mid-river. Many actually crawl from the water to hatch on rocks along the shore. Even when adults are not active, you can tell if October Caddis have been hatching by observing their shucks on stream margin rocks. If prospecting with a dry

October Caddis often crawl out onto stream side rocks to hatch, leaving their discarded shucks as evidence.

The evidence of October Caddis shucks suggests the choice of an October Caddis Pupa as the right fly.

October Caddis pattern doesn't turn up any interest, try a pupa pattern. Pumpkin orange color is usually the best. Try fishing your pupa suspended from a dead drifted dry fly. This technique can be very productive late in the evening when both egg laying adults and hatching pupas are both active. Steelhead as well as trout can be fooled by this trick.

Egg laying occurs in the afternoon and evening. The big fate juicy females flop around on the water exuding their eggs. They are a prime attraction for fish of all sizes. Fishing a big orange body dry fly can be productive any time of day if you fish in shady spots under overhanging

Adult October Caddis.

October Caddis adults hiding from the heat of mid-day.

trees. Some caddis are active during moderate temperature days. Most of the big caddis rest in the shade of vegetation throughout hot days. These caddis are perfectly camouflaged to hide during the day and wait for evening flights.

		October Caddis, Dry October Caddis is the big fall hatch. This pattern has a tightly stacked elk hair wing for maximum floatation and feelers for realism.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
5045-08	October Caddis, Dry	08	3 for $5.75

		Tied Down Caddis, Orange Sometimes called the Full Back Caddis, it is effective for representing both large caddis and stone flies.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
5070-06	Tied Down Caddis, Orange	6	3 for $5.25
5070-08	Tied Down Caddis, Orange	8	3 for $5.25
5070-10	Tied Down Caddis, Orange	10	3 for $5.25

		Improved Sofa Pillow This fly is generally use as a stone fly imitation, however it is also a very good October Caddis.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
6075-08	Improved Sofa Pillow	8	3 for $5.25

		Tungsten Bead Head Pupa Trout and steelhead will target October Caddis pupas.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
18120	Tungsten Bead Head October Caddis Pupa	6	3 for $5.85
18121	Tungsten Bead Head October Caddis Pupa	8	3 for $5.85
18122	Tungsten Bead Head October Caddis Pupa	10	3 for $5.85

		Peaking Cased Caddis Larva Trout often intercept cased caddis larvae as they are drifting down the river.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
9115-06	Peaking Cased Caddis Larva	6	3 for $5.25
9115-08	Peaking Cased Caddis Larva	8	3 for $5.25
9115-10	Peaking Cased Caddis Larva	10	3 for $5.25

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