The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Nymph, Emerger

Nitro Caddis Pupa

Insect Species Icon Caddis
Difficulty Icon Easy - 3-5 Min
Water Category Icon Coldwater

Tying Video

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Tying Recipe
  • Hook: Tiemco 2499SP-BL
  • Bead: 3/32″ to 7/64″ Black Cyclops Bead
  • Thread: Brown Veevus 8/0
  • Tail: Olive Pearl Core Braid
  • Wings: Mottled Brown Medallion Sheeting
  • Antennae: Natural Mallard Flank
  • Legs: Natural Brown India Hen Back
  • Collar: Olive Brown Ice Dub
  • Hook: Any straight or down eye, curved shank nymph hook
  • Bead: Any brass or tungsten bead in black/brown
  • Thread: UTC 70 Denier
  • Wings: Flashabou or any flash material
  • Antennae: Partridge Feather Fibers
  • Legs: Partridge Feather Fibers

This is a fairly unique pattern due to the pearl cord braid and there isn’t much room to change that material if you want a true nitro caddis pupa.  With that said, you can use a variety of colors of the pearl braid to tie a variety of caddis colors.

 

This is a flashy little pattern that gets trout excited. It does good in a variety of water colors and isn’t overly heavy so it sinks slowly in the water and rises with ease, much like caddis pupa do in reality. I think this is a genius move to use the pearl cord braid, commonly used for streamers and repurpose it for a caddis pupa. Well done to the author of this pattern.

Fish these just before and during a caddis hatch.  The pupa are making their way to the surface just before a hatch, and often this is when the best fishing occurs.  Throw a elk hair caddis or your favorite caddis dry and then drop this below 18- 24 inches and at the end of the drift, let the flies skate a bit so they both come to the surface.  When fish strike, lower your rod slightly and then you can set.  They will often hook themselves when they eat it on the skate and setting the hook without giving slack will cause you to lose them and get short strikes.

Caddis

General Hatch Chart Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Caddis
Sizes: #10 - #22

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