Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

I saw "flytyingfreak's" response in the post for Favorite Caddis Dry Flies and realized that he's probably not the only one that's addicted to caddis flies in all forms, shapes and sizes ... And, I would actually like to see what others use and recommend and like as their favorite caddis nymph and emerger patterns. I could use some help in that department, because its so often the case that the trout are feeding just below the surface during a caddis hatch and when I run out of options trying to get them to take dry flies (which they won't) I am not the most well versed when it comes to caddis emerger pattterns and, to be totally honest, when fishing nymphs I rely on flies that are pretty much "versatile" patterns - don't get me wrong, they work .. but, I wouldn't say I am necessarily "matching the hatch" below the surface .. So, what are peoples favorite Caddis Nymph and Emerger fly patterns?

I guess I will be totally honest here

Emergers - I have no favorites because I stink at fishing emergers and don't really understand them. So, I kind of just keep casting dries and hope there will be a stupid trout in the mix that makes a mistake or gets greedy. It works, but I'd really like to be better at fishing emergers and feel confident in tying on few caddis emerger patterns

Nymphs - (again, not really caddis nymphs but its what i use)
- Prince Nymphs
- Pheasent tail Nymphs
- Flashback pheasent tails Nymphs
- Copper John Nymphs

westbranchfisher · Location: Indian Island, Maine

I'd would have to say my favorite emerger pattern is an Emergent Sparkle Pupa #16 tan body. To fish it properly, all you have to do is put a little bit of floatant on the wing of the fly and dead drift it. Sometimes, people will fish the emerger on the swing, too. But I have more luck fishing it with a dead drift. Very Happy

flyinredneck · Location: Scarborough, ME

I gotta say I'm a bead head prince nymph kinda guy. I've had a bit of luck just drifting them down stream with a little bit of floatant as described above. good topic though I'm interested in hearing others thoughts

-Shane

troutaddict1 · Posted: Sat 09/26/09 7:38 pm Post subject:

I would say that my all time favorite caddis emerger is a spotlight emerger. Unfortunately, I cannot find it anywhere except only a few places but I have yet to have fish refuse it when caddis are on the water. it's a great pattern. Sits very low in the surface film but top is plenty bright enough to keep track of it. Any size and favorite color is the natural burnt orange. Also really like the typical Elk Hair Caddis with any really small emerger trailing behind. And by small I mean small. Like 22 to 24. you cant see it but just look around the general area for splashes and sips. Great way to fish em'

spector82 · Location: Biddeford ME

I love fishing emergers for fall LL. salmon and brook trout, the take is typically an explosion behind the fly.
My favorite pattern is a simple one using olive sparkle dubbing, copper rib, partridge palmered and hares ear dubbed head on a size 16 hook or smaller.
Simple to tie and effective.

I fish this greased line atlantic salmon style quartered down and across with small strips back to twitch the fly over salmon lies...the fish take on the swing or at the end of the swing....CDC emerger patterns are also ace fished in this way.