Trichoptera · Various (incl. Hydropsychidae, Brachycentridae, Limnephilidae)

Caddisflies

The SE spring workhorse. Caddis don’t just hatch — they pupate up through the water column, and trout often smash pupae before a dry fly feels right.

Taxa: Grannom → Hydropsyche, Black/Mottled Caddis, Green Sedge, and allies

Bait lens

Pupae active in the column + fish eating = go, even if you never see a wing on the surface.

Life stages

Complete metamorphosis: egg → larva → pupa → adult. Case-builders and net-spinners both matter. Adults tent their wings roof-like at rest.

Caddis — Larva — **Larva** — Free-living net-spinner larva — USGS Hydropsyche (PD). Green rock worms and peeking patterns.

Coming soon Photo pending confirmed pupa ID

Pupa — Often the eating stage — swing or lift through the film.

Caddis — Adult — **Adult** — Tent-wing adult caddis — skittering egg-layers; Elk Hair Caddis country. USGS (PD).

When it matters in the Southern Apps (NC–VA)

Watch band roughly ~55–56 °F as a cue. Apr–May ramp (Black/Mottled → Grannom → Hydropsyche); Green Sedge into June. October Caddis is a separate fall chapter on some freestones.

Matching artificials & techniques

Mimic the stage the fish are eating — size and silhouette first. Patterns are common SE shop language, not a brand list.

Larva

Green Rock Worm, Cased Caddis, Peeking Caddis

Dead-drift along rocky bottoms and undercut seams.

Pupa

LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa, Soft Hackle, Emergent Sparkle Pupa

Swing and lift near the end of the drift — hang in the film.

Adult

Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Goddard Caddis

Skitter occasionally; otherwise dead-drift over rising fish. Match size/color (tan, olive, black).

Sources: Trichoptera life history (egg–larva–pupa–adult). Images kept: USGS Hydropsyche larva + USGS adult caddisfly (PD). Pupa: Coming soon. Regional note: Taxonomy and stage language follow standard aquatic entomology (Ephemeroptera / Trichoptera / Plecoptera / Chironomidae). SE timing is a regional prior from the hatch calendar — confirm with thermometer, seine, and local shop/agency charts.

SE hatch calendar All bugs Life-cycle basics

More in the guide: BWO · Midges · October Caddis · Sulphurs · Tricos · Quill Gordon