Tying October Caddis Fishing Flies
The last "Big Bug" hatch of the year...A Jiggy October Caddis, A Party Mop October Caddis, and an October Caddis Chubby
by Chris N • September 22, 2023 in Fly Tying Videos
October Caddis are one of the last hatches of the dry fly season. While there are still BWOs around after the October Caddis hatch, we will call this the last "Big Bug" hatch of the year. One of the challenges encountered with this hatch is that most of the hatch activity that occurs above the surface happens late at night. Fishing this hatch with nymphs throughout day, however, can be productive. Don't hesitate to throw a dry-dropper rig with an Orange Foam Caddis, an Orange Stimulator Chew Toy, or a Foam Body October Caddis as the big dry. Even though the adults aren't hatching during the day, trout will often be opportunistic when keyed by something that is in-season.
Tying a Jiggy Party Mopster October Caddis Fishing Fly
The new Mopster Mop Chenille from SemperFli is, in our mind, PARTY MOP! We like the “Danica” color, which is cream-ish, for a caddis-type fly. We add an orange bead and soft hackle for the upcoming October Caddis.
Here is the recipe:
- Hook: Firehole Sticks 520 Jig Hook, size 12. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Bead: Firehole Stones Slotted Bead, 3.5mm. Orange or copper. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Weight: SemperFli Lead Wire, 0.4mm. 4-5 wraps.https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Thread: SEMPERFLI Classic Waxed Thread 30D (18/0), Fluoro Orange. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Body: SemperFli Mopster Mop, Danica. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Soft Hackle: Cascade Crest Speckled Hen Backs, Brown (has an orange hue). https://www.discountflies.com/...
Tying a Jiggy October Caddis Nymph Fishing Fly
This is a fast sinking nymph that will attract attention. Fish this on a dead drift...and let it swing out to complete the drift.
- Hook: Firehole 520, sizes 10-14. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Thread and Underbody: Orange or rust.
- Bead: SemperFli Stones, 3.5mm (Orange or Copper). https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Tail: Speckled Hen Back, Brown. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Body: SemperFli Perfect Quils, Clear. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Collar: Mix equal parts Ginger CDC, Brown CDC, and Pearl Ice Dub into a loose dubbing. For a single fly, one side of a CDC feather (of each feather) is the right amount. https://www.discountflies.com/...
Tying an October Caddis Chubby Inspired Fishing Fly
Here is a high floating Foam October Caddis inspired by the Chubby design:
- Hook: Nymph Hook, like a Kona NS2. Size 8 – 12. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Thread and Underbody: Orange or rust 70D-ish
- Foam Body: 2mm Foam, Brown. Two sheets glued together. Cut the body the width of the hook gap. Taper the tail end. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Body: Orange Ice Dub.
- Underwing: Polish Quills CDC, Ginger. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Wing: Elk Hair, Elk Mane. Stacked. https://www.discountflies.com/...
- Hackle: Brown.