Fishing Caddis Hatches

Until a few decades ago relatively little was known about caddis flies and how best to fish them. Luckily over the last several years we've been given tons of info on these important items on the trout menu. Here are a few things to try the next time you encounter caddis on your stream.

1. Caddis are extremely active flies so don't be afraid to use motion. If dead drifts aren't working try skittering or skating adult patterns like elk hair caddis, krystal flash caddis, stimulators, and X caddis and try lifting or swinging caddis emergers or soft hackle flies.

2. Don't be afraid to fish well into the night. Many caddis are extremely active at night. Big fish will often move in to the banks and into shallow water to eat caddis just before dark and into the night.

3. During hours when caddis aren't quite as active but may be close to hatching like mid day concentrate on caddis pupal patterns like the flashback caddis pupa, or the LaFontaine Deep Sparkle caddis pupae. These patterns are best fished deep with weight or as droppers but may also be lifted to entice fish.

Hopefully these few things can help your caddis fishing to be great this season!