Caddis on a zig zag

TDMunro	August 14th, 2019, 8:52 am
Midland Michigan Posts: 5	I know there are many a want to be entomologists out there that can help me with my Caddis Fly question. I have been out on the river, fishing of course at this time of year, 8/10/2019, and come across a late evening hatch of caddis that are just fascinating. For the life of me I cannot find out which Caddis it is that flies just above the surface of the river in fast zig zag fashion. I am assuming that they are laying eggs at this point but it is always tough to see late in the evening. They seem to be a light shade of tan and also seem to hold their wings out on a 90 degree angle from there bodies. Like I say it's tough to make out at times during that time of the day. From what I have also gathered, every time this happens, the fish are a rising just prior to seeing them, so in turn most likely taking Caddis emergers. I pound the fish at this point. Lovely!! Can anyone help me here? This is taking place on northern Michigan streams.
	Tim Munro

Troutnut	August 15th, 2019, 1:00 am
Administrator Bellevue, WA Posts: 2737	Many different caddisflies--probably hundreds of species--behave as you've described. You would have to get some really good photographs of a specimen to narrow it down, or maybe talk to somebody who knows these particular streams at this time of year extremely well.
	Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D. Troutnut and salmonid ecologist

TDMunro	August 15th, 2019, 12:26 pm
Midland Michigan Posts: 5	I should have also said this. The zig zag pattern of this Caddis is not vertical but horizontal just over the river surface, crossing over and under other Caddis, which may include many. This is done at a fairly fast rate of speed. I believe that this is somewhat a one of a kind or maybe a genus of Caddis. A Midwest species. I could be wrong on this but... I will also say this, I have not seen any other Caddis perform this way and be visable to the naked eye. There is still enough light out to see them when this occurs.
	Tim Munro

Creno	August 15th, 2019, 6:42 pm
Grants Pass, OR Posts: 305	If you catch a couple you can get a name on it.

TDMunro	August 16th, 2019, 8:23 am
Midland Michigan Posts: 5	I believe that I have found out the common name of the Caddis that I am interested in here. The common name would be the Head Light Caddis. Looking into what this little fly may actually look like is like, well I better catch one and lead myself down the taxanomic trail to figure out just which fly this is. I am seeing that this common name is well common throughout the states. May not be the same fly but that name hangs in there. One thing that was stated to me was these Caddis have very long antenna. The flight pattern is just what I stated it to be. Very erratic, zig zag pattern just above the surface of the stream and done in a horizontal way. Very cool. Now every time I have encountered this lovely little Caddis the water is alive with feeding trout. Trout taking emergers. No emerger seems to make it out of the water alive. The fish boil settles down and these Head Light Caddis come out. Right at late dusk. Is it the same insect? Not sure, but there does seem to be a pattern here. During the fish boil I ended up using a #16 green dubbed Caddis emerger and just pounded the fish. Some 15" Browns to boot. Very fun.
	Tim Munro

Partsman	August 17th, 2019, 10:11 am
bancroft michigan Posts: 420	Thanks for the enlightment TD, this is something new to me but that's what makes this website so good. I will be paying attention to these for sure. Mike

Quick Reply

You have to be logged in to post on the forum. It's this easy:

Related Discussions

Title	Replies	Last Reply
Emergence In Brachycentrus appalachia Caddisfly Adult by Martinlf	0
First Post from TX.... In Beginner Help by FFTX	0
A report finally... In Fishing Reports by Motrout	0
Re: Clacka Caddis In General Discussion by Bobbyg	5	Jun 18, 2010 by Stratabass
Re: Caddis ID Q? In the Identify This! Board by Greenghost	5	Apr 18, 2009 by GONZO
Re: Emergers In General Discussion by Martinlf	3	Apr 20, 2007 by Riverratben
Re: Great Autumn Brown Sedges on Potomac River In the Caddisfly Genus Pycnopsyche by BrettB	3	Oct 3, 2008 by GONZO
Re: Deep water trout and insects. In General Discussion by Crooketarow	1	Jul 9, 2009 by Mike56
Re: Wisconsin Early Season In the Photography Board by West	1	Mar 26, 2009 by West
Green Sedge In the Identify This! Board by Wiflyfisher	0

Troutnut Forum > Fly Fishing > Caddis on a zig zag

Quick Reply

Related Discussions

Troutnut Forum
>
Fly Fishing
> Caddis on a zig zag