In the adult stage caddis can be seen all through the warmer months around house lights (they are the small moth-like bugs that swarm any light source). But during the larval stage, this bug is a fleshy, fat grub making it a common forage of fish, especially during winter. Caddis Larvae are primarily bottom dwellers that forage around seeking organic matter to ingest so they are found in all bottom types.
The Icy caddis pattern was designed and tied to mimic caddis larvae, which is a plentiful forage of winter panfish. But it differs from a standard caddis pattern because of the added triggers. It utilizes extra small rubber legs, with a segmented, coarse hare’s ear-dubbing body to match the hatch and entice the bite. Additionally, a tungsten bead gets it down so there is more time in the strike zone, making it a great addition to your box for those finicky, mid-winter trout and panfish. Because of the tungsten bead, it can be fished on its own or on any two-fly rig.
- Hook: #14-#10 Curved scud
- Bead: Black Tungsten (can also be tied with standard brass or beadless, but the tungsten improves sink rate)
- Thread: 8/o UNI thread
- Body: Hare’s ear dubbing brushed out
- Rib: 2 Ply UNI floss
- Legs: Mini Centipede rubber legs
- Thorax: Black dubbing blended with black ice dub brushed out