October Freshwater Fly of the Month: Nymph Head HM Caddis Puppa Green

October Freshwater Fly of the Month: Nymph Head HM Caddis Puppa Green

Caddis Nymphs are actually usually Caddis Larva or Caddis Pupa imitations since there is technically no "nymphal" stage in the Caddisfly's development. Caddis Larvae and Caddies Pupae are present in large numbers in most trout streams and they are an important part of the diet of most trout. Most Caddisfly Larva build a protective case around themselves out of sand, small rocks, or sticks and leaves. A few species of Caddisflies are actually free-swimming in the larval stage. These Caddis Nymph imitations are sure to become some of your go-to nymph patterns.

The Green Caddis Larva—also known as the Green Rock Worm—is an old stand-by nymph pattern, which is descended from the original Rock Worm created by Missoula, Montana barber Franz Pott in the 1920s. It's an exceptionally effective nymph pattern that imitates many species of caddisflies, in the Hydropsychidae and Ryacophillidae families. Fished alone or as a dropper, a Caddis Larva is a great searching pattern and seems attractive to even big trout, something famed fly shop owner Bob Jacklin discovered a couple years ago while filming a television show on the Madison River. On camera, Jacklin hooked and landed a 32-inch, 10-pound brown trout on a size 14 Beadhead Green Caddis Larva. It was the biggest trout he'd ever caught, anywhere.

 The Green Caddis Larva

          Hook: Standard emerger hook (here, a Dia-Riki 125), size 16.          Adhesive: Superglue.
          Weight: 6 or 7 wraps of .015 lead-free wire.
          Thread: Brown, UTC 70 denier.          Weight: 6 or 7 wraps of .015 lead-free wire.          Thread: Brown, UTC 70 denier.          Rib: Fluorescent chartreuse Ultra Wire, brassie size.           Dubbing: Light olive Australian possum, sparse.                 Thorax: Dark brown Australian possum.