Caddis Larva

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Spun Rubber Cased Caddis Micro Caddis Larva, Green B.H. Olive Caddis Larva
Peaking Caddis Larva Micro Caddis Larva, Tan Flashbody Larva, Dk Green
Glassy Caddis Larva, Green
Glassy Caddis Larva, Tan B.H. Green Caddis Larva Flashbody Larva, Green

October caddis larva crawling across the bottom of the Sandy River...

Cased caddis larva displays a case made from both gravel and vegetation...


If you want to get smarter about what trout eat, buy Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods 

In rivers, Caddis larvae can be divided into three basic types; case builders, net spinners and free-living roamers. All caddis larvae are subject to periodic behavioral drift cycles. This is how populations disperse themselves. Both Free-living and net spinning caddis larvae can produce a silken strand very much like spider web. To move down stream they will hook their line to a rock and then rappel themselves down stream. They are often dangling in the current for long periods. During these periods entire populations can be exposed to trout which will key on them exclusively. Caddis larva can be extremely vulnerable to catastrophic drift caused by high

water, which can sweep them from the bottom. During these times the larvae patterns listed below have proven very useful. Our Glass Bead Larva are the most realistic available for representing net spinners and free roamers. Case builders construct tubular homes from small stones or vegetable matter. Each specie has a defining way that it constructs its cases. Some will be smooth, other are rough. Some are square in cross section, others are round. When cased caddis larva of most species migrate, they simply turn loose of the river bottom and let the current sweep them down stream. The case tumbles and rolls. The larva is often extended from the case waiting to grab onto the riverbed. Usually the dark head / legs and the light thorax are highly visible to the trout. They "key" on these dark and light bands. The Bead Head Spun Rubber Cased Caddis and Peaking Cased Caddis is a great cased-caddis larva pattern because it meets all of the "key" requirements.

Bead Head Spun Rubber Cased Caddis
This pattern mimics caddis species that build cases out of fine gravel and sand.  It is especially productive in watersheds which contain a high percentage of granite substrate.  Granite is usually composed of quartz (usually white), feldspar (usually gray to tan) and mica (reflective flakes). This fly pattern contains all of those elements. It also works well where granite does not occur.

Item Description Size Price To Top
50175-06 Bead Head Spun Rubber Cased Caddis 6 3 for $5.85

50175-08 Bead Head Spun Rubber Cased Caddis 8 3 for $5.85

50175-10 Bead Head Spun Rubber Cased Caddis 10 3 for $5.85


Peeking Cased Caddis Larva
This fly pattern is credited to Oregon guide John Hazel. It represents caddis larvae that build their cases out of a mixture of stones and vegetable matter. During behavioral drift cycle these larvae tumble in the current with their heads, legs and part of their light colored bodies exposed while their black legs are extended and the search for anything to grab onto.

Item Description Size Price To Top
9115-06 Peeking Cased Caddis Larva 6 3 for $5.85
9115-08 Peeking Cased Caddis Larva 8 3 for $5.85
9115-10 Peeking Cased Caddis Larva 10 3 for $5.85

Glassy Caddis Larva, Green
Many green caddis larvae, especially the free roaming kinds have fairly translucent bodies.  The glass-bead flies mimic this quality better than most other kinds of material.  This fly is especially productive during high water periods in the spring month, but can be effective nearly all season in some watersheds.

Item Description Size Price To Top
9072-12 Glassy Caddis Larva, Green 12 3 for $5.85
9072-14 Glassy Caddis Larva, Green 14 3 for $5.85
9072-16 Glassy Caddis Larva, Green 16 3 for $5.85

Glassy Caddis Larva, Tan
In some rivers, such as Oregon's lower Deschutes, net spinning Hydropsyce caddis larva can reach populations of hundreds per square foot of river bottom. They often migrate by rappelling them selves down stream with the use of a silken thread.  Most are dull tan colored, but may have a dorsal stripe of brown or olive. As you examine larvae from the bed of the stream .

you are fishing it may be to your advantage to use waterproof felt markers to alter the color of your flies. This fly patter adapts well to any net spinning caddis specie with the use of felt markers.  For other species of caddis such as the saddle-case building Glossosoma this fly is perfect as is.
Item Description Size Price To Top
9074 14 Glassy Caddis Larva, Tan 14 3 for $5.85
9074 16 Glassy Caddis Larva, Tan 16 3 for $5.85

Micro Caddis Larva, Green
This is often a really good fly to drift deep on many weedy spring creeks.

Item Description Size Price To Top
01108-18 Micro Caddis Larva, Green 18 3 for $5.85

Micro Caddis Larva, Tan
A deadly fly on many streams.  Best time is early in the morning or late in the evening.  Drift it deep with a split-shot.

Item Description Size Price To Top
01109-18 Micro Caddis Larva, Tan 18 3 for $5.85

Bead Head Green Caddis Larva
The Bead Head Green Caddis Larva is a killer Deschutes fly during late winter and early spring.  During this time period dozens of these flies are shipped from our store.

Item Description Size Price To Top
9022-12 Bead Head Green Caddis Larva 12 3 for $5.85
9022-14 Bead Head Green Caddis Larva 14 3 for $5.85

Bead Head Olive Caddis Larva
In recent years, the Olive Caddis Larva has become nearly as popular as the Green Caddis Larva.  Evidently trout have very good color acuity and sometimes subtle differences in the color of your fly can make all the difference in how many fish you land.

Item Description Size Price To Top
9020-12 Bead Head Olive Caddis Larva 12 3 for $5.85
9020-14 Bead Head Olive Caddis Larva 14 3 for $5.85

Bead Head Flashbody Larva, Dark Green
As far as we know, this fly looks like nothing in the natural world, yet often it will out fish any of the "hatch-matcher" flies.  It only goes to prove that it is hard to think or see exactly like a trout.

Item Description Size Price To Top
9026-14 Bead Head Flashbody Larva, Dark Green 14 3 for $5.85

Bead Head Flashbody Larva,  Green
This is a slightly lighter colored version of the fly above.  It is equally productive, and maybe even more so on bright sunny days.

Item Description Size Price To Top
9025-14 Bead Head Flashbody Larva, Green 14 3 for $5.85

The key to success is "understanding".  You can never know enough.
Understanding the organisms that trout feed on is one of the keys to catching trout.
The Hatch Guide For Western Streams by Jim Schollmeyer 
is great reference material for the trout fisher.
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