Caddisfly
Also called Caddis, Sedge, Sedge fly
A caddisfly is a common freshwater insect that trout and other fish eat in its larva, pupa, and adult stages. Many species live in streams and rivers, and their hatches can drive steady feeding.
- Group
- Aquatic insects
- Category
- Entomology & forage
- Level
- Beginner
- Water
- Freshwater
Last updated
What Caddisfly means
Caddisflies are aquatic insects in the order Trichoptera. They start life underwater as larvae, transform into pupae, then emerge as winged adults that resemble small moths.
In moving water, caddis larvae often live in or on the streambed. Many species build cases from sand, gravel, or plant material, while others are free-living. The pupa stage is active, it swims or crawls toward the surface before the adult breaks out.
Anglers match caddis in three main ways: a larva pattern near the bottom, a pupa or emerger in the film and just under it, and an adult dry fly during emergence and egg-laying. Common adult imitations include the Elk Hair Caddis.
Why it matters on the water
Caddis behavior is different from mayflies. Pupae often move and rise quickly, so a dead-drifted nymph is not the only look. A slight swing at the end of the drift, or a controlled lift, matches that upward movement in many rivers.
Adult caddis often return to the water to lay eggs, sometimes by skittering or diving. Knowing that helps with fly choice and presentation, from a higher-floating dry to a lower-riding pattern or a soft hackle worked just under the surface.
Read next
- Dry flyA dry fly is a floating fly meant to be fished on the surface, where you can see it and the take.
- Elk Hair CaddisA buoyant caddis adult imitation tied with elk hair for the wing. It’s a standard dry fly for caddis hatches and as a general searching pattern.
- LarvaAn aquatic insect’s immature stage for insects with complete metamorphosis, like midges and caddisflies.
- PupaA pupa is the in-between life stage where some aquatic insects transform from larva to adult. In trout fishing, “pupa” usually points to caddisflies and midges as they rise toward the surface to emerge.
More in Aquatic insects
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