Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

What is your favorite type of Caddis dry fly pattern? I seem to fish caddis flies for trout more than any other type of dry fly. Perhaps that is because there seems to be so much caddis fly activity in the state of Maine. I remember a few years ago going out west and the caddis flies were also going off out there. There were some consistencies of dry fly caddis variations that my friends were using and that were the hot flies at fly shops - but I also learned a lot more patterns and used a lot more patterns than just the typical "elk hair" caddis fly that is the 'old standby'. I also remember Marshall introducing me to "The Henryville Special" which the salmon couldn't refuse during one particular caddis fly hatch that we were fishing. And, I came to really love that fly as a caddis fly pattern.

Anyway, my question is .. what are your favorite types of caddis dry flies? I guess my top 3 (at this point) would be:

1. Elk hair caddis
2. EZ Caddis
3. Henryville Special

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I love caddis hatches used to fish them out west especially this time of the year in the evenings. I have seen some epic blizzard caddis hatches with so many bugs, it is hard to see the water. I have hit some great ones out here since i have been here as well. I have a few personal favorites myself and use them in different situations. The bushier patterns I use in faster more broken up riffles, the sparser lighter dressed patterns I use in the flatter water sections to more selective fish. This list isn't in order of preference just what comes to mind as my favorite caddis dry flies:

1. E/C caddis
2. EZ Caddis
3. Elk over cdc caddis
4. Hemingway Caddis
5. Elk Hair Caddis
7. Goddard Caddis

Those are my top favorite caddis dry flies effective anywhere I have seen caddisflies

flytyinfreak · Location: Idaho Falls ID

Gotta love those caddis! Out here in Cali if you ain't got a good mix of caddis there is a good chance you ain't gonna catch shizzle! I am a frime believer in carrying a nice selection of all the caddis life cycle, but the pupae stage is one of my fave's. I like to trail one of my inventions behind an EZ or an elk hair. so I guess my 3 would be:

Parachute EZ caddis
Elk hair caddis
the freaks own Pupaliscious as a trailer
tan or olive caddis swimmer nymph
Lob dudes dead head bead head in tan, olive and, cream

Oh crap you're talkin dries! sorry i got all caddis lovin freaked out! final fly would be a delta wing spent caddis fished on the edges.

westbranchfisher · Location: Indian Island, Maine

I would have to say my favorite dry caddis pattern would have to be a slow water caddis from #14-#18. But I typically fish it in a #16. Usually the body is tan. In case you don't know what fly this is, it has mottled wings, a thin body with hackle only in the front of the fly, and is sometimes tyed with antennae. I think it has the EXACT profile of an adult caddis fly. And where I fish, in the evenings when the big landlocked salmon are rising, they tend to be extremely selective, but they porpoise over this fly and take it with aggression.
Another fly that is a favorite of mine that matches the profile exactly is a tapewing caddis from #12-#20. But once again, I typically fish this fly in a #16. Usually the body is tan as well. This one looks alot like the slow water caddis, but on this one the mottled wings are alot more squared off.
I fish these flies with a dead drift in a patch of foam with alot of floatant on them. Very Happy

lunchbox · Location: Utah

Fish1 · Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

What about CDC&ELK????
Cool

Kennebecster · Posted: Wed 07/29/09 10:24 pm Post subject: caddis flies

I love any caddis pattern that sits flush in the film with a a few scraggly legs. Any combination of cdc and elk hair, deer hair, woodchuck in varying levels of thickness.

I have best luck with size 16 with an olive body and tan or gray/green cdc as an under wing and a deer hair over wing fished right in the film.

1. cdc / hairwing caddis
2. elk hair caddis
3. parachute caddis pattern with a quill or cut wing.

Snowfly · Location: Denmark, Me

I would have to say that my favorite caddis to fish is the Vermont Caddis, originally tied by George Schlotter. Skates fantastic and fish can't resist it. From brookies to landies this fly can do it all. Favorite size would be a sz. 16 tied on a gamakatsu retainer bend hook. Tan body and Brown/Grizzly hackle mix. Good luck, and don't forget to wiggle your rod tip to get the fly to dance!!!

rustayy · Location: Islamorada,FL

Out here in California it is all about Ralph Cutter's EC Caddis. The EC stands for emergng crippled Caddis. And if you are not on the crippled fly bandwagon yet then now is your time. This fly works incredibly well and is surprisingly easy to see. Unlike most cripple patterns that ride vertically in the water, the EC Caddis rides like a normal dry fly. By itself the fly fishes oustanding, but we do fish it as part of a double dry fly rig as well. The second fly being some type of stimulator or attractor fly purely for take visibility.

We also fish this fly unconventionally. It performs well while submerged and wet, it also performs well with an underwater swinging or stripped presentation. It is hands my favorite Caddis pattern out right now. But we also do fish a geat number of other patterns Cadis immitations out here in Lake Tahoe with success. Try the standard Elk Hair Caddis in all sizes and colors, the Partridge Caddis, and Cutters BIV Dunn. All work great for a dry fly caddis patterns. On the nymph end of the spectrum it is all about the Wier's caddis in lime or caramel. This fly works great as an emerging caddis pattern or as a drowned caddis, but also will nymph well right on the bottom. Try dropping it under a hopper pattern or Crystal Rubber Leg Stimulator. Other patterns we use are Fox's Caddis poopahs in olive, lime or tan, Z-Wing Caddis, and Sparkle Pupas.

It is all about matching what you find on the water. Size is more important than color, but color can make a difference too. Never be afraid to doctor up a fly pattern with a sharpie or magic marker to achieve the desired color pattern. Go through your box carefully because you never know what will work. Good luck and give the EC a try. Tight lines!!

flytyinfreak · Location: Idaho Falls ID

Hey D man good to see you here ( rustayy)! LOl I just wanted to add that in late September early october a nice siz 8 stimi in orange is a killer for the dicosmoecus (October caddis) hatch