What's that bug?

Arkansas River, 2017

The photo above was taken this summer on the Arkansas River.  I had been fishing lots of caddis larva during that time and had been doing quite well.  I didn't know that the large, dark green bugs were water snipes.  I assumed that they were cranefly larva, although they didn't look like what I knew were cranefly larva, I didn't argue with the fish.  They were eating my cranefly larva patterns so I kept using them and they kept eating them.  If you look for water snipe patterns at your local fly shop, I am going to bet that they don't have a specific fly pattern, much less even know what you are looking for.  I had no clue as to what a water snipe was before this summer.  Now, even knowing this, I still use a smaller cranefly larva pattern to imitate these bugs.  You can even upsize your caddis larva patterns and have things covered if you know they are in the water you are fishing.  If I were fishing this water again the same or next day, I'd make sure to cover all my bases and fish a cranefly larva, a caddis larva and a baetis nymph.  And I bet I would have  great day.

Caddis Lifecycle Videos

Caddis season is still here!  Just because the "big" hatch has come on gone on the Ark, that doesn't mean it's over!  Caddis are still out and will be for most of the summer.  On the Deckers stretch of the S. Platte, the caddis are just getting started so we can enjoy an extended caddis fishing season.  These videos were held at my last tying class at Ghillies Fly Shop on April 6th.  Enjoy!



The Wonder Larva from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

The Wonder Pupa from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

The Shark Caddis from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

The Butch Caddis from Juan Ramirez on Vimeo.

Got Caddis Larvas?

So a buddy of mine posted a picture here, and asked the question, "What would you tie on"?
With day 3 of fishing, I headed to "The Dream Stream" to check out what was going on.  Caddis larva was going on.  About 30 minutes into being on the water, the flows appeared to be going up.  There was a lot of junk coming down the river.  It came up about 50 CFS, not a big jump, but enough to throw things off.  The first fish came about 10 minutes into the day and guess what it ate?  A caddis larva.  The 2nd came about 15 minutes later and he also ate a green caddis larva.  It was a thick 20" Cuttbow.  After the water came up, the fishing went off for about an hour and a half or so and then it picked up a bit.  With all the junk and off colored water, I went to a pink SJ worm and it got things started again.  A few fish later I was  working a good stretch of water when it happened.  It always happens.  I was high-holed.  About 6 guys came and jumped in front of me.  I sometimes hate fishing in Front Range accessible waters.  But, like a New Yorker complaining about riding the subway or the congestion, we move on.  Soon the notorious South Park winds came howling down the valley and I had enough.   So if you want some action, whip up a few cream and green caddis larvas and go have some fun.  Flow was 168 and went up to 210.

 Green and Cream!

 You can match them with these two flies.  

 More larva.

There is still a lot of snow up there to melt.  

1/2 Done.

Happy New Year!  I hope 2011 is better for you than 2010 was.

Since I had some time and it's been pretty cold, I've been busy tying my little life away.  I finished one side of the box I posted about earlier.  It's mostly a caddis box right now, and all the beadheads are tungsten beads.   I don't know if I will have time to start the other side, but I have 3 days next weekend at the show to start filling it.  I tried to add some new patterns that I don't currently carry in this box.  It is geared more towards the bigger sizes, #14-18.  Now, what to put in the other side?

 X-Caddis in Tan & Dark Dun.

 CDC Caddis.

 More nymphs. 

 Caddis!

 Not sure the name on these.  I saw something like these somewhere, so it's not a truly original pattern of mine but it might be different enough from the one I saw.  I just can't remember.  

 Ready to go.

 Caddis dries.

 Droppers ready for action.

 Purple Stones and Golden Stones.  

 Mercury Caddis, Peeking Caddis, and my caddis larvas.  

 My version of the Arizona Prince Nymph.  

 Caddis and Stones.

 Purple Stones.  I've never seen purple stones, have you?

 #14 Tungsten Red Headed flies.  I need a name for these. 

 Mercury Caddis, Peeking caddis and my BH larvas. 

 CDC Caddis.

 Foam Caddis.

 X-Caddis, #16

 Arizona Prince Nymphs, #12-14

 Dun X-Caddis.

Time for the other side and then to the stream when things warm up.