Provo caddis

[Tightlinez]

Im trying to get some tying done this winter and i have a question. In their larval stage, are the caddis on the Provo cased, net builders or free swimming? And what are the main colors we have? Or better yet, what are your favorite patterns for caddis larvae on the provo?

thanks

[Lonnie]

In their larval stage, are the caddis on the Provo cased, net builders or free swimming?

To answer your question, all three. While I'm not sure the number of species, I have personally observed all three life forms. While I don't use larval caddis imitations that often, I like Beadhead Z-caddis and the "peeking" caddis does a good job of imitating the Brachycentrus which are abundant on the lower...

Lonnie

[RAW]

Too bad you can't wait until spring. A whole herd of us are going over with buckets, nets, seines, tweezers, forseps, Bobcats, shovels and bottles and really turn that place up looking for different bugs. I'm sure we will find a few caddis.

Until then, try to find a copy of "Caddisflies" by LaFontaine. Pay attention to page 271. Hesperophylax (a giant caddis) was found in good numbers. Be aware that some caddis are not readily available when in the case. But become very available at emergence because they will leave the case after pupating and either crawl to the shore or float to the surface.

Or as Fred may suggest, get a hold of those two guys down South. They may have some insight. :) (Bad joke.)

[Tightlinez]

Thanks guys.
One reason I ask is that Mike Lawson in "Spring Creeks" comments that cased caddis are a good winter fly because unlike mayflies, etc. they migrate during daylight hours (migrate isnt the right word I know but i cant think of it...disperse, shift, whatever), thus making them a good fly in winter. I will tie some up for the lower and see what happens. what color of peeking caddis would you recommend?

[Mike]

An excellent peeking caddis pattern:

http://www.utahonthefly.com/flytying/flyarchive/cmpeeking.htm

[Jason]

I've used this pattern with some success. I like to fish these in the spring.

http://www.utahonthefly.com/flytying/flyarchive/cmspkngcaddis.htm

or this one in smaller sizes...

http://www.utahonthefly.com/flytying/flyarchive/minicasedcaddis.htm

[Mike]

I'm partial to that last one Jason posted because I tied it! It's a fairly indestructable pattern.

[Lonnie]

Those Brachycentrus are commonly very pale green or cream bodies and black heads. Try using Pheasant tail ends for legs (instead of black
bucktail). Here's a couple of photos....

http://www.benthos.org/digitallibrary/index.cfm?fuseaction=BrowseAndSearchDetails&ID=F2757CBC%2DE029%2D7494%2DADA475032652AA4C

http://www.benthos.org/digitallibrary/index.cfm?fuseaction=BrowseAndSearchDetails&ID=A060F248%2DCD39%2D11D4%2DB856006097AFB7EC

These are among my favorite caddisflies...

[Jason]

And a few others...

http://www.utahonthefly.com/entomology/caddis/tubecaseset.htm

I've got a few other photos that I have not added to the entomology pages yet. Someday I will.

[Fred]

I don't fish a lot of caddis imitations below the surface, but two patterns that I do have in my box is the Fox Caddis Pupa and the Shop Vac. Both have worked on the Lower Provo.

Don't get me started RAW. lol.

[Don]

tightlinez.. I think it's called "behavioral drift" Throughout the day cased caddis will release their grip and float in the water and re-locate down stream. Many types of mayflies do the same thing, only they do it at night, where as caddis will drift mid day.

From what I understand, they do this in order to protect their species. If all the insects were in one section of water and some disaster were to happen (drought, etc.) it would wipe out the entire species. By spreading out through the river system and it's a natural way to avoid a loss of a species in a river system because of a disaster.

The peeking caddis is a great pattern, but even the simple pheasant tail will represent the cased caddis. If you can find the floresent green beads small enough, tie a PT with a green bead head and it will produce as good as any cased caddis pattern plus it will also double as a mayfly imitation.

[Utah DaveII]

I use to have a study that had the major caddis species in it. If I can find it I'll let you know.

Lonnie is absolutly correct when he states that all three groups are in the Provo. The most abundant is the Grannom or Brachycentrus Echo. There are also lots of hydropsyche in the river as well as lessor numbers of Ryacophila (green rock worm). There are also caddis species that will hatch clear into the fall on that river. Lonnie,trav, Jaymorr and myself caught a nice fall caddis hatch one evening last september.

For me it's hard to beat a beadhead chamois caddis 14-16 for free living and netspinners and I also like a pheasant tail (16-14)as a brachycentrus or lepidostoma cased caddis imitation.

[RAW]

I just love the latin. Please pass the Dicosmoecus or Phryganeidae!

[Utah DaveII]

Hydropsyche--Spotted sedge (netspinner) habitat--riffles and runs.
Brachycentrus--American Grannom/mothers day/(case maker)--habitat-- Riffles and runs.
Lepidostoma---Plain Brown sedge--(case maker)habitat--slow water with organic buildup.
Ryacophilia--Green Sedge--Green rock worm--(Free living)--habitat--fast water and riffles.

[Utah DaveII]

By the way very funny comment above

[Jason]

http://www.utahonthefly.com/entomology/charts/provochart.htm


Fred, what is the Shop Vac?

[Jason]

Lonnie, please email me. Your email isn't enabled on the site. I've got a couple questions for you.

[Fred]

http://www.utahonthefly.com/entomology/charts/provochart.htm


Fred, what is the Shop Vac?

It's a real simple pattern that I picked up at Blue Ribbon Trout Flies in West Yellowsone. It's tied on a scud hook with a copper bead. Pheasant tail wrapped forward with copper wire ribbing. A little antron at the head. I'm pretty sure they take it for a caddis.

[Grizz]

Mr. Pavlik has a picture of a shop-vac on his web-site. Great pattern for the Ogden river & West Yellowstone guides claim that this fly if their #1 subsurface producer throughout the park.

www.pavliksflies.4t.com

[Larry S.]

I sent you a photo of the Shop Vac along with the recipe. I would have included a thumbnail with this post but I can't remember how to reduce the file size.

I comes with advancing age........

[Larry S.]

I finally got around to sizing down a picture of the Shop Vac for those that are interested. This is my first attempt at posting pics so I hope it works.
Geesh! I guess I could have made it a little smaller!

[Mike]

Awesome Larry! I can actually see you taking the photo in the bead.

Great photo. Nice looking pattern too!

[Larry S.]

...I had some clothes on....................

[raposaNegra]

ok whats the secret to including a photo in the post. I tie up a vinyl lace cased caddis that is a very good pattern on the lower and I want to post the pic, but here is a link http://home.comcast.net/~raposanegra/lace_cased_caddis.jpg

[Lonnie]

Just become a contributor to the site and you too can do it too...

Lonnie

;-)

PS. I didn't catch that one. :-( (it's from flyfishing.com)

[Utah DaveII]

I found the Shiwozawa report...I'll post the top caddis for the middle tomorrow.

[Jason]

Lonnie, that's a nice MidP brown.

[Mike]

It looks stunted.

[raposaNegra]

What kind of camera did you use to take that pic of the nymph?

thanks

[Caddfly]

I had an idea pass through...Has anyone ever taken a casing and glued it on a hook then added appropriate head dubbing/material? Just a thought...

[Larry S.]

I use a Nikon Coolpix 950 on macro.

[Tightlinez]

what results have you had with the shop vac and the vinyl rib cased caddis larry and raposa? Have you used them much in the winter?

[Jason]

I use a Nikon Coolpix 950 on macro.

That's what I've Larry. Nice cam.

[Larry S.]

I don't fish in the winter.

You see what happened to Brian don'tcha............

[raposaNegra]

lace caddis quite a bit on the lower. I do as well on it as I do on sow bugs.... Maybe better. It seems like any time you have a fly bouncing on the bottom on the lower or middle it will come up with one of those cased caddises on the hook. So since I know they are in the water, I fish them. I did quite well on them last thursday.