Green Caddis Larva
Rhyacophila larvae are free-living (no case) and drift frequently in the current, making them highly available to trout throughout the year. Their distinctive bright green body is easy to replicate, and fish gobble them up willingly. Fish the Green Caddis Larva dead-drift on a two-fly nymph rig, bouncing it along the bottom of fast runs and riffles. Add a tungsten bead for extra depth.
- Type
- nymph (Caddis)
- Hook sizes
- #10–14
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Curved larva hook #10–14
- thread: Olive or green 8/0
- bead: Copper or gold tungsten bead (optional)
- weight: Lead wire underbody
- body: Bright green Antron or dubbing
- ribbing: Gold wire
Tying steps
- Mount a curved larva hook; slide on a copper or gold bead if desired.
- Wind lead-free wire on the shank for weight; start olive thread and wrap over wire.
- Dub bright green Antron or dubbing from bend to behind the bead, forming a fat, segmented abdomen.
- Wind fine gold wire in 6 tight spirals over the body as ribbing.
- Dub a dark brown thorax just behind the bead.
- Build a neat head against the bead; whip finish and cement.
- Apply a thin coat of UV resin over the entire body and cure under UV light to lock in the segmentation.
- Inspect the body profile from the side — it should be plump and oval, wider in the middle than at either end.
- Check the bead is tight against the thread wraps; apply a drop of head cement into the gap if the bead spins.