The Time Proven Caddis Fly

I am often asked, at times, what is your all-time favorite surface fly to fish on the Sipsey Tailrace and Simth Lake during the Spring and Summer months? My response is the Caddis dry fly. For this post, I will only cover the surface aspects of this fly, not the subsurface stages the fly goes through to become airborne. Why is the fly so effective in fly fishing? It's a staple in the diet of many fish species, particularly trout, and it's so realistic that it can trigger fish to strike it even when other flies don't produce. Caddis flies are widespread in streams and rivers across many regions, making them a familiar and reliable food source for fish. When a hatch occurs, fish actively hunt them, making caddis fly patterns incredibly productive. They have a unique, skittering movement across the water surface when they emerge to the surface film. Skittering can produce an automatic bluegill, bass, or trout strike that might otherwise be a static fly. 

The presentation of the caddis plays an integral part in the angler getting the fish's attention. I strive to get the fly to light on the water's surface as if it fell off an overhanging limb on the bank or if it has just touched the water's surface lightly. Most of the time, no movement of the fly is needed to get attention from bluegill, bass, or trout, but a slight movement of your tippet will guarantee a hit if the fish is near. 

I use Fly Shack patterns when fishing at Smith Lake and the Sipsey Tailrace. For Smith Lake, sizes 8 and 10 work best, while for the Sipsey, I prefer sizes 14 and 16. I only opt for a larger Caddis pattern at the Sipsey when I fish it as an indicator, rigged with a small nymph underneath.

As most of you know, dry flies need help staying afloat, whether in choppy water or on calm days. Over the past couple of years, I have experimented with different types of floatants, and this year, the product that really got my attention was the Fly Shack brand "Stay Dry." I used it this year and found that I could fish the fly for several hours before reapplying the solution; it’s an excellent product!

When other flies fail to attract fish, it often indicates that the fish are either uninterested in what is being offered or are spooked by unnatural presentations. Due to its realistic movement and variety of color patterns, the caddis fly is one that I will continue to use for the rest of my fishing days.

 

My Forgotten Bluegill Web Page

 Three weeks ago, I was following my afternoon routine of enjoying my afternoon coffee while scrolling through some of my old fishing folders. Surprisingly, I discovered the Bluegill website page I created in 2010 on the BLUEGILL-BIG BLUEGILL WEBSITE. In fact, that was the year I created my fishing blog, Fishing Through Life. I was using the Bluegill site to connect with bluegill fishermen nationwide. I decided to create a few posts to reconnect with some of my bluegill buddies on the site. If you would like to take a look, follow my page link, Bluegill-Big Bluegill---

The main reason I stopped posting on the site was finding time. I found it challenging to post on the Bluegill site and share info on my Fishing Through Life blog, not to mention work and attending tennis matches involving our son and daughter at the time. In other words, my wife and I were busy working, and time was limited 15/16 years ago: thank goodness for retirement! 

Quote of the day: Enjoy every minute of fly fishing from March through June!!

 

The Quest Begins

I finally get to fish between the heavy rains, we have been experiencing here in Alabama. What a great day to start my bluegill quest for this season. The temps were in the seventies with the water temp reading 65 which is on the verge of the spawn. Some of the big gills were on the move and staking out areas close to cover in water four to five feet deep just off the shaded banks.

My first nice bull of the morning was taken hugging the shaded bank in the brush pile. The Black Gant got its attention. I’m glad I was using my 9 ft. 4 wt. otherwise I would’ve had trouble landing it.

I felt like the top image could grace the wall of any den, with its lush green canopy of trees lining the banks of this nook. RFD's FlyBox Foam Butt Caddis would get a savage hit on the other side of the sunken tree; again shade and cover was the ally for this nice gill. I thought I had found the honey hole, but again the fish were not bunched to spawn; one fish and keep casting. 

I would end the day landing numerous small bluegills and this fighter on my 3 weight. I feel good about actually accomplishing this year’s quest because I’m back on my home waters; 23 away from the finish.