This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is the LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa, developed by Gary LaFontaine.
Caddisflies was first published in 1981. It was a classic as soon as it was written. Before his book came out, most the talk in fly fishing was about Mayflies. Caddisflies changed everything.
Gary spent many years researching caddis. In fact, it took 10 years! He spent countless hours in scuba gear watching these bugs live and move in the water column. So perhaps we should pay more attention to his innovative patterns.
The LaFonatine Sparkle Pupa uses antron yarn to imitate the transparent sheath that traps air bubbles around the body of a caddis as it begins it’s journey to the surface, hatch and fly away.
I tied this many years ago and probably forgot to add the wing along the side to imitate the real bug. But you know, it still worked.
Hmmm, I wonder why I don’t use this any more? I think I’m headed to the bookshelf to re-read Caddisflies!
Well timed tbt… seeing a few caddis start to show up on the river last week, came home and tied up this one and a few other caddis flies.