Microcaddis

Scientific Name: family Hydroptilidae

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LARVA SIZE: 2-5 mm LARVA COLOR: Varies; usually a dark brown PUPA SIZE: 2-5 mm PUPA COLOR: Varies; usually on the dark side ADULT SIZE: 2-5 mm ADULT COLOR: Varies; typically dark brown Other characteristics: Generally, larva is caseless until it nears maturity. Body, wing, and shroud colors can vary, so it's always best to check a natural insect where you are fishing. Body and wing colors will darken when the insect is ready to lay eggs.

About Microcaddis

Microcaddis are caddis that are . . . well . . . small. Very small. So small you can easily miss them. In fact, very few fly anglers are aware of their existence, and even fewer carry imitations. Trout, however, can find them delectable. There may be many times that you are valiantly trying to match a mystery midge hatch when it's actually a microcaddis hatch.

Tactics and flies are a blend of those for midges and larger caddis. Just keep your imitations small, neat, and thin. No one said it was going to be easy.

Two genera of microcaddis larvae in their cases. (photo © North American Benthological Society. Used by permission.)

Matching Microcaddis

Only standard fly patterns are shown. Click here for all matching flies in the database.

STAGE

PATTERN

SIZE/ COLOR

PRESENTATION

WHERE

Pupa		Soft Hackle		22/Body: yellow, brown, orange		Surface swing, Deep swing		moderate to slow flows
Adult		Elk Hair Caddis		22/Body and wing: dark brown, green		Standard dry fly		moderate to slow flows
Egg-layer		Soft Hackle		22/Body: dark brown, green		Surface swing		moderate to slow flows

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