Caddis Larva Pattern

When nothing is happening, this is what still works.

If you had to fish one subsurface insect all year, this would be it. This Caddis Larva Pattern collection is built around realism, weight, and natural movement — the traits that make larva patterns deadly in riffles, seams, and deep runs when trout are feeding close to the bottom.

Caddis Larva Pattern

Caddis larvae are present in nearly every trout stream and remain active throughout the year, making them a staple in a trout’s diet. Unlike flashy emergers or surface adults, larva patterns succeed through realism, weight, and a natural bottom-oriented drift that matches how these insects actually move in the current.

The materials in this Caddis Larva Pattern collection are selected specifically to support that subsurface realism. Weighted caddis and Hydropsyche larva bodies provide the correct shape and built-in weight, helping flies reach the strike zone quickly without excessive external weighting. Stretch ribbing allows for clean segmentation and durability without adding bulk. Catgut delivers instant segmentation and lifelike translucence — simple, effective, and deadly subsurface.

Buggy dubbing blends, including hare and hare-plus options, create natural texture and translucence that mimic living larvae, especially in broken water and lower-light conditions. Strong, curved hooks designed for shrimp, pupa, and caddis patterns offer the right profile and holding power for bottom-oriented fishing, ensuring your flies stay intact and effective, fish after fish.

This collection is built around efficiency and realism — helping you tie caddis larva patterns that sink properly, drift cleanly, and match one of the most reliable food sources trout feed on every single day. Whether you’re nymphing riffles, seams, or deeper runs, these materials give you the foundation to fish caddis larva patterns with confidence.

Explore Our Fly Tying Video Tutorials

Want to see how these materials come together on the vise? Our fly-tying video gallery features step-by-step caddis larva tutorials, material selection tips, and proven patterns designed to fish deep and drift naturally along the bottom.