On most stillwaters and rivers Caddis are more abundant and varied than upwinged mayflies. They live longer than mayflies. Some live for over a week and return to the water surface periodically. The Olive Horned Tent Winged Caddis fly pattern imitates the McKenzie caddis and the Green Apple Caddis insects.

CADDIS FLY PATTERNS. Hook size 10 12 14 - $US each

Trout become accustomed to seeing them and are on the constant look out for feeding opportunities. Where ever conditions are good for a trout to be able to look up and see a dry fly then a highly convincing imitation of an adult caddis can score more takes than a similar mayfly representation. In Europe caddis are also known as Sedge flies. The tent winged style of caddis fly patterns are also known as horned caddis or upland caddis. They are a good choice for fly fishing on glassy lake surfaces, smooth spring creeks and tail waters by skating the fly on the surface to cause a classic caddis V shaped disturbance behind the fly. This is what the trout are looking for. Evidence of movement and life. It is the trigger they need to investigate, follow and attack. You can use this method to prospect a new stretch of water to attract trout as well as trying to tempt sporadic evening risers that are feeding opportunistically.

During warm weather hatches of caddis the newly emerged adults can escape the water surface often within seconds. It is often a better tactic to stick to fishing emerger fly patterns. In cooler weather, when it takes longer for the adult caddis’s new wings to dry out, they ride the surface just like mayfly duns. When they are ready their first flight is sometimes laboured, causing ripples. These are the conditions I will use a tent winged upland caddis on the surface with success.

HOW TO DIBBLE THE OLIVE HORNED CADDIS
I was fishing the Alness river in Eastern Scotland with my friend James King. He had only been fly fishing for a year so I had briefed him what to do. I followed Jim down through a rocky gorge, where the water roared through a narrow opening. It gradually opened into a deep and attractive pool that had large boulders offering good resting spots for trout, sea-trout and returning sea run salmon. I had often taken fish from this pool before and was keen that Jim to fish it through first. Jim had reached the tail of the pool without an offer and was about to change flies

"Did you dibble the fly, Jim? " I shouted. "Er no sorry I forgot." came the reply. I followed him through the same pool and half way down, as I lifted the dropper I paused it on the surface so that the wing and body made a V shaped wake with the help of the water current.

Up came a 3 lb trout from the depths. Having opened its mouth it completely engulfed my fly. Dibbling a caddis fly like this imitates the adult trying to take off from the water surface. It is the water disturbance that attracts the trout’s attention. Jim was ready to move down stream when I tightened into my prize.

"I don’t believe it. I have only just fished that spot. " Jim exclaimed in disbelief. Jim asked me to show him the technique again. I went to the same spot and cast out some line. Once again I carefully lifted the dropper and watched it make the V wake across the surface yet again. " Do it just like that." I said to Jim. Then of course it happened. Bank another fish hit my fly. It was a 6 lb salmon. Even I had a look of shock on my face. It was a superb 20 minutes of fishing and an ideal way of demonstrating a particular fishing technique. For the rest of the day Jim practiced the same moves and caught three fish, one trout, and two salmon. Jim was so happy with his newly learnt skill that he paid for all the drinks that night down the pub.

Fly Fishing books

Tweet