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> > A good Dicosmoecus discussion



This topic is about the Caddisfly Genus Dicosmoecus

This is a superhatch in the West. Gary LaFontaine had a self-proclaimed obsession with Dicosmoecus, and he devotes several pages of Caddisflies to stressing the importance of its larvae, pupae, and adults. He wrote:

The question for fly fishermen seeking big trout is: "Which insects provide the best opportunity for catching such fish?" My list would be: Giant Orange Sedge (Dicosmoecus sp.), Salmon Fly (Pteronarcys californica, a stonefly), and the Michigan Mayfly (Hexagenia limbata). Dicosmoecus is the most important -- and the contest is not even close.

His reasons for this judgement are five traits of Dicosmoecus:

  • Very large size: Adults 30mm long, and thick.

  • Activity concentrated within 2-3 weeks.

  • Emerges in the low, clear water of fall.

  • Active during afternoon and evening.

  • Abundant in rivers with sea-run trout.


I have never fished the West to experience Dicosmoecus, but I have enough experience with Hexagenia limbata to know that a greater insect must be truly amazing. Read more...

There are 2 more specimens...

The Discussion

TroutnutAugust 22nd, 2006, 7:42 pm
Administrator
Bellevue, WA

Posts: 2737
There's a good topic with people sharing their experiences with Dicosmoecus over at the Washington Fly Fishing Forum.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
TaxonAugust 22nd, 2006, 11:40 pm
Site Editor
Royse City, TX

Posts: 1350
Jason-

In case you're not familiar with the cast of characters on WFF, that particular thread drew several pretty savvy members. Preston is Preston Singletary a columnist with Flyfishing & Tying Journal. Smamla (as in S. malma) is Curt Kramer, a retired WDFW fisheries biologist and renowned Bull Trout enthusiast.
Best regards,
Roger Rohrbeck
www.FlyfishingEntomology.com

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