I’ve spent some time on my favorite river over the last couple of weeks waiting for hatches and rising fish. Some days, I was rewarded…other days I sat a lot and watched the river. While waiting, I decided to look in the streamside vegetation to see if I could locate some bugs. I thought it may help decide what fly to tie on my leader. I found quite a few caddis and was able to take some close-up images of them. What better time to provide a glimpse into my world. In addition, I’ll share my favorite Caddis imitations I use to imitate them. And it works in nicely because I’ve been tying a lot of Iris Caddis for a customer as well as filling the provider box.
The image above shows six dozen Iris Caddis in tan, three dozen each in size 14 and 16.
Here are two images are of Caddis I found while waiting for the fish to rise. These bugs move quickly, but I was lucky.
Notice the “bad hair”? Besides the tented wings, it’s a distinguishing feature to identify Caddis.
The next two are from last year.
I think the one below might be an Alderfly. I don’t see the telltale hair on the head. Do you think the fish care?
I’m lucky at times using my Olympus TG-6 to capture these images. You can see all the camera gear I use in my updated post – Camera Equipment for Fly Fishing and Fly Tying.
Here are three dry flies I use that have been very effective for me. Just change the body color to imitate different Caddis.
And olive versions of an Improved F Fly and X Caddis.
I’ve found the olive Improved F Fly is an excellent imitation for a size 16 little olive stonefly I find flitting along the water’s surface. The tan version is a favorite fly we fish on the Madison River, MT.
The link below will take you to my latest YouTube video demonstrating how I tie an Iris Caddis.
Be sure to like and subscribe to my RiverKeeper Flies YouTube channel for future videos.
Lastly, while not associated with the Caddis theme, here is a close-up of a cranefly I was able to capture…another lucky moment.
Enjoy…go fish, stay safe!
So John, how do you fish the Iris caddis? I tied some over the winter, but have yet used one on the river.
Thanks for the Comment Bill.
I fish it like any dry fly. It’s a great imitation for hatching caddis in the evening, one I use on the Madison in Montana. But I’ve also used it at other times with success as well.
John