October Pupa Caddis | Fall favorites
Photo: October Caddis pupa (Dicosmoecus gilvipes)
October brings both fall color in our trout species, but also in our Caddis hatches.
The caddis emergers always keep the Browns on their toes, or rather their fins, and these patterns are hard to refuse, like me, with pumpkin-laced spiced cookies, muffins, and lattes. The fall hatches are upon us, and the falling leaves, brisk breezes, and the casting of tippet between the leaf flotsam is always challenging.
Photo: A spicy mix of ochre orange Beaver Belly, Kapok, and natural squirrel makes for a gestural and highly floatable rendition of this pupa.
This is a pattern that I tweak throughout the season, depending on the hatch and the specific specimens I have collected, many of which are a bit sparse for 2025. This year was particularly challenging for the mayflies in the spring due to erratic water levels and high water temperatures. An early brown algae bloom also caused the disappearance of a few of my favorite mayfly hatches on the Mad River this year. Fingers crossed the fall brings better conditions through November.
October Pupa Caddis
Hook: Hanak 300 BL
Thread: UTC Ultra 70 ginger
Body: Ginger dyed quill
Wing Case: Khaki dun CDC feathers (x2)
Thorax: Ochre orange Beaver Belly, tan Kapok, SLF Spikey Squirrel natural
Eyes: Maxima 20lb singed ends
The caddis have been a blessing for me this year, and this emerger has paid significant dividends in the past years. A relatively simple fly to tie on a superb hook, the Hanak 300 BL is one of my favorite hooks; however, dress accordingly, as the medium-gauge wire is a bit heavy. Add a liberal amount of Kapok in the thorax area, as well as two super-select CDC feathers for the loop wing.
Thanks for letting me share ~ Clint Bova
