Troutnut Forum > Fly Hatch Talk > October Caddis
This topic is about the Caddisfly Genus Dicosmoecus
This is a superhatch in the West. Gary LaFontaine had a self-proclaimed obsession with Dicosmoecus, and he devotes several pages of Caddisflies to stressing the importance of its larvae, pupae, and adults. He wrote:
The question for fly fishermen seeking big trout is: "Which insects provide the best opportunity for catching such fish?" My list would be: Giant Orange Sedge (Dicosmoecus sp.), Salmon Fly (Pteronarcys californica, a stonefly), and the Michigan Mayfly (Hexagenia limbata). Dicosmoecus is the most important -- and the contest is not even close.
His reasons for this judgement are five traits of Dicosmoecus:
- Very large size: Adults 30mm long, and thick.
- Activity concentrated within 2-3 weeks.
- Emerges in the low, clear water of fall.
- Active during afternoon and evening.
- Abundant in rivers with sea-run trout.
I have never fished the West to experience Dicosmoecus, but I have enough experience with Hexagenia limbata to know that a greater insect must be truly amazing. Read more...
The Discussion
| Taxon | July 29th, 2006, 5:23 pm | |
| Mercer Island, WA Posts: 485 | Jason- In the Pacific NW, Dicosmoecus are generally referred to as either October Caddis or Fall Caddis. The field guide I generally recommend for western fly fishers is Hatch Guide For Western Streams by Jim Schollmeyer. This is what he has to say about Dicosmoecus pupae, and I believe it clarifies any ambiguity of the passage you quoted from Caddisflies: In the early or mid summer, the larvae reach maturity and move from the faster currents to the slower flows that are generally found along the margins of the stream. Then they attach their cases to the rocks, seal themselves inside, and begin pupation. This transformation takes about two months. When the pupae are ready to emerge anytime between late afternoon and dark, they chew open the front of their cases and swim or crawl to the surface. The ones that find exposed rocks cling to them close to or just above the waterline; their pupal shucks split open and the adults emerge. Larvae that took refuge and pupated behind unexposed mid-stream rocks pupate and emerge in the open water. Most pupae emerge from waters that are too shallow or too exposed for trout. Any pupae that emerge in deep or open waters are vulnerable as they swim to shore or the surface. | |
| Roger Rohrbeck www.FlyfishingEntomology.com | ||
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| Troutnut | July 29th, 2006, 5:33 pm | |
| Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1115 | Thanks. I'll update the article accordingly and look into getting that book (and Hughes/Hafele's) when I've got some more time to devote to Western hatches. | |
| Jason Neuswanger The Troutnut | ||
| Upnorth2 | August 18th, 2006, 10:24 pm | |
| Wisconsin Posts: 62 | This is very important to anyone who has fished sea-run fish, like Cutts for sure. Use the swimming stage. | |
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