The October Caddis
"Fishing for landlocked salmon is like scale-model Atlantic salmon fishing: all the frustration for a fraction of the price"- John Gierach
"They were all over me." October Caddis that is! This is a true event on autumn trout streams especially on the fertile freestones that we like to fish like the Millers. This orange/brownish caddis can fill the air but it can also disappoint if you don't know it's life cycle. This insect is not going to rise through the water column followed by slashing trout most of the time. It prefers to hatch on the shore and then fly away. Maybe that's why the Partridge and Orange is so good around now.
"They were all over me." October Caddis that is! This is a true event on autumn trout streams especially on the fertile freestones that we like to fish like the Millers. This orange/brownish caddis can fill the air but it can also disappoint if you don't know it's life cycle. This insect is not going to rise through the water column followed by slashing trout most of the time. It prefers to hatch on the shore and then fly away. Maybe that's why the Partridge and Orange is so good around now.
Are there dry fly opportunities with this insect? Yes, but it will come with the end of the mating swarm near evening when most fly guys decide to pack it up. The above fly works because it looks like a spent insect and incorporates the materials to achieve that look.
This is really a freestone fly and is not common on tailwaters. The Millers and the Ware are best for this fly.
Hook - size 14 standard dry
Body - orange/brown rabbit dubbing
Wing - clump of orange/brown hen hackle fibers (an underwing of CDC will work to float the fly longer
Hackle - brown grizzly size 14-16
Head - brown rabbit dubbing
Body - orange/brown rabbit dubbing
Wing - clump of orange/brown hen hackle fibers (an underwing of CDC will work to float the fly longer
Hackle - brown grizzly size 14-16
Head - brown rabbit dubbing
One can fish this fly dry and then wet. It works both ways.
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6 comments:
Welcome back, Ken! Hope you heal up soon and in the meantime, keep publishing!
HI Ken - Glad to see you back and hope your ankle heals up better then ever! I, too, have had to limit my fishing this season due to family obligations. That said, hoping to get out to the Millers next week. It looks Ike good water levels for some nymphing and maybe some pumpkin caddis too. Welcome back!
Andrew
Andrew,
Hope to see you in the Spring!
Ken
Sorry to hear about your ankle Ken, hope that it heals quickly and completely! Was up in Pittsburg to close out the season last week, the October caddis were on the water, and the MVP fly was a #14 partridge and orange, probably caught 80% of the fish. At the Chesterfield Gorge last Wednesday, saw a few other fly fishermen there, leaves were near peak, caught a beautiful hook-jawed colored up brookie, aboout 10-11", in addition to a few clonebows that looked like they had been in there a while.
Mike from Pittsfield
Thank you Mike! My best brookies on the EB (East Branch) have always been from eaely September onward. Beautiful fish!!
Ken
Thank you everyone!!!
Ken
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