The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Thanks Ralph, Tangerine dream (first nymph I ever tied was a tangerine dream) style pupas did as well for me as fancier ties did.

Gee, there sure are a lot of different bugs.

Greg

I just have to weigh in on this topic. I have observed October Caddis emerging from heavy water twice--both times on the North Yuba above Downieville--once with another observer.
Both times it was late in the afternoon, standing alongside a heavy water stream section. There were no bugs in the air for at least 15 minutes prior. Suddenly the air had numerous October Caddis coming directly out of the heavy water in front of us. We knelt down next to the shoreline and watched them explode out of the water and take wing toward the streamside brush. At the same time there were adults emerging alongside the stream in the slower water. We caught several of them and they were definitely October Caddis.
Again, I have only seen this twice. These bugs were not egg laying as they headed directly to the riparian vegitation. We never fished just sat and watched as it is almost impossible to see smaller caddis actually emerge and this was a great sight.
By the way--Eric those are great shots you took!

Ralph Wood

popping out through surface at dusk. Didn't catch any though.

Greg

One evening, I was fishing inside of Dunsmuir along on of those quiet stretches (not heavy water). The October Caddis were hatching right off of the water. One moment the water was glassy smooth, and the next moment, you would see an October Caddis just appear and fly off the surface. It was almost instantaneous, and they would leave slight concentric circles as they left the water.

neal

no/msg

Hi Ralph-
Very interesting post.

It bumped me to call a buddy who is a 200-day-a-year guide and a confirmed October caddis over steelhead addict. He experienced a "crazy" mid water October caddis hatch on the Umpqua several years ago and another on the Skykomish about two WEEKS ago. Live and learn. Wonder what makes them do that?

BTW, Pat cut half our Gordy's foot off due to a weird growth. In less than a month and she was (and is) running 5 miles a day with Lisa. Give her our thanks! If anyone is looking for an amazing veterinary surgeon go to Ralph's girlfriend in Grass Valley then have Ralph take you fishing while your mutt is under the knife.

~the other Ralph