Sedge Pupa

The Travelers Sedge is one of the few insects that devoted nymph fishermen forsake sunken presentations. Granted the swirling rises to these large moth-like insects is heart stopping making the toughest nymph fisher reconsider presentations. But to stretch the most out of these bugs stick with the pupa.

After metamorphosing in the security of their weedy larval homes the pupa cut their way free beginning the arduous journey to the surface. Like chironomids the Travelers Sedge pupa hardly rockets to the surface. Using their large feather-like hind legs the pupa sculls and trundles along the bottom taking up to four days to emerge. During this staging process a floating line, heavily weighted pattern and a 15 foot or longer leader take more trout than the traditional strip pause approach. On breezy wind textured waters let the pattern drift and bob with the wind, trout love to cruise under the security of rippled water. A straightening of the line is the only sign of a take as the trout gently inhale the pupa. Wind drifting is a great method to fish sunken islands and shoals adjacent to deep water.

As the hatch progresses the pupa's energy level increases, streaking skyward using broad rowing strokes the pupa makes a break for freedom. Now is the time for a bold strip pause retrieve using a 1-foot strip coupled with a brief pause. Anticipate a confident take as the fly pauses and begins to sink. An intermediate line is ideal under these conditions. Pupae surviving the midwater rigors scull just beneath the surface, during this phase a buoyant sedge emerger patterns fool many trout. Some sedge species actually emerge in the near shore shallows or out of the water completely so these sub surface migrations can cover quite a distance. Once ready to emerge the sedge pupa hangs motionless in the surface film. Cruising trout sip the hapless pupa with predictable rises. Casting a greased pupa pattern ahead of anticipated rise is an exciting way to hook fish. Even if a fish takes an adult chance a cast into the ring of the rise, there is something about emergers trout find hard to resist.

The Travelers pupae are typically a dark to medium olive coloration with prominent yellow to lime green banding along the abdomen. With the exception of their hind legs the legs of the pupa are tucked neatly underneath their thorax. Prominent wing pads trail along each side of the pupa's body and are worthy of imitation. Chose ragged scruffy patterns with a little shimmer and soft hackle for subtle animation. Those anglers lucky enough to catch an emerging pupa are fortunate, for this stage doesn't last long. Make quick notes as the transformation from pupa to adult takes seconds even in the palm of a hand.

Discosmoecus

Common Names: Fall Caddis, October Caddis, Giant Orange Sedge

Fly fishers worldwide dream of an insect or a hatch capable of drawing the largest trout from their sullen lairs.  Preferring to feed in difficult lies, on obscure or large food forms, at night or in the wee hours of the morning large fish are wary and tough.  These fish of legends are a constant challenge as they are nearly impossible to dupe on a consistent basis.  From Alaska through British Columbia south to California healthy populations of October Caddis or Discosmoecus are one insect large and concentrated enough to seize the attention of all residents or transients, big or small.  Even returning steelhead drawn by some uncontrollable latent response veer from their natal runs to sample this skittering surface fare.

Discosmoecus is a member of the family Limnephilidae commonly known as Northern Case Makers as a whole.  With over 300 species and 52 genera this family is one of the most diverse of all the caddis clan.  Primarily river dwellers Discosmoecus populations can occur in the outlet or inlet regions of lakes such as those found at the mouth of the Skagit River as it spills into Ross Lake along the British Columbia Washington border.  In the cool clear freestone rivers and streams of western North America there are 3 major species of interest to the fly fisher.  Discosmoecus atripes is a common inhabitant of rivers in California and Utah; D. gilvipes is widespread throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, while D. jucundies favors the cold translucent rivers and streams of Montana and Alaska.  From an anglers perspective the differences are inconsequential but as with all insects local size and color variations always take precedence, so a little poking around or research prior to the inaugural cast is well advised. 

As with all members of the Limnephilidae family Discosmoecus is a case maker.  Using a silk core foundation the larvae construct cases of plant or rock materials depending upon their development.  In their early instars the larva reside in the slower, backwater stretches.  Foraging amongst the decaying plant matter that tends to collect in these areas they construct their cases out of a variety of plant material such as small sticks, pine needles or leaf remnants.  Nearing maturity the larva move into the fast lane migrating to the faster current regions.  Here plant material is too buoyant so a unique shift in construction takes place as the larvae now utilize a variety of sand and gravel to create a dense streamlined current resistant case.  In these turbulent regions the larvae can be seen boldly feeding on top of the rocks as if almost enjoying the sunlight.  At night they migrate down towards the dark undersides, perhaps to avoid predation. 

Throughout their development October Caddis larva are in a constant state of growth.  Foraging aggressively, Discosmoecus use their fused teeth to graze and scrape the bottom rocks and debris for algae and diatoms.  Discosmoecus favor algae covered rocks and figure prominently in such stretches or in rivers such as the Thompson famous for their slick algae covered stones.  Although considered plant eaters Discosmoecus are not opposed to feeding upon decaying fish, other carrion, nymphs or larvae they amble across.  When it is time for a move the larvae shed their case to build another and drift freely in the current.  These pudgy one-inch long yellow orange larvae garner more than a passing interest from any resident trout.  This drifting phenomenon is common to many stream insects and is referred to as behavioral drift.  Behavioral drift allows species to spread throughout a system either to find better feeding grounds or to redistribute and repopulate.  Most insects perform this ritual at night but caddis have a propensity for daylight drifts.  Discosmoecus scatter themselves frequently during the summer months of June and July, tumbling a large larval imitation such as a suitably dressed Wooly Worm or John Hazel’s Discosmoecus Cased Caddis is a great starting point on many rivers.  Make sure they are well weighted so they can tumble amongst the cobble and bottom debris.

Immediately prior to pupation Discosmoecus larva enter into an inactive almost dormant phase.  Although there are no immediate physical changes the larvae do cease feeding.  In most regions pupation begins in early August.  The larva seals itself into its case typically on the lee or underside of a rock, often in clusters.  Transformation takes approximately 8 weeks resulting in dense focused emergences in late September and early October, hence their common name October or Fall Caddis.  On famous summer run steelhead rivers such as the Bulkley and the Dean this concentrated emergence provides steelhead fly fishers with some outstanding dry line or damp opportunities.  The sight of a ten plus pound fish swirling at a fly on or near the surface is the image of a lifetime.  As their larval size would indicate Discosmoecus pupa are a large calorie rich mouthful.  Upon leaving the case the orange to brown pupa soon begin their treacherous emergence trek.  Discosmoecus have a varied emergence pattern.  Most species make their way into the near shore shallows in the afternoon through until the evening to emerge, often clambering clear of the water to do so.  However on some of the larger sprawling rivers some species scull to the surface where they transform in manner most fly fishers are accustomed too.  During peak hatch periods study the shallows carefully for signs of emergence.  Dried pupal shucks stuck to the rocks above the water line are a key indicator.  Try dead drifting a large #8 or #6 pupal imitation through likely looking areas.  Allow the pattern to swing into the shallows at the end of the drift as trout often follow the migrating pupa shoreward.

Once hatched the fledgling adults begin the search for a mate, usually within 48 hours.  This focused two to three week mating and egg laying frenzy peaks around dusk, resulting in dense concentrations of adults dashing and darting everywhere.  It is an exciting time to be on the water as both trout and steelhead, if present, go wild.  Noted steelhead anglers such as Harry Lemire and Bill McMillan have created their own deadly designs to take fishing during this time.  The famed Bomber skated over an inviting tailout or shallow run is an excellent choice at this time as is the late Art Mikulak’s venerable Sedge, decked out in Discosmoecus colors of course.

Although an insect synonymous of fall fly fishing Discosmoecus offers season long opportunities for the well-informed fly fisher.  Imitating the large drifting larvae is perhaps the best springboard to a days fishing on both familiar and unfamiliar waters.  On many of the west’s famed steelhead rivers the October Caddis is a boon for all craving a chance at a dry fly caught steelhead.  Discosmoecus are a species all moving water fly fishers should be familiar with.  After all they just might provide the most consistent success all season long.

"Because you never stop learning"