Dry FliesLaCroche
The LaCroche is a dry fly pattern designed by Marshall Porterfield. This effective pattern works well in a variety of water conditions and is tied with traditional materials for a proven presentation.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Marshall Porterfield's pattern blends traditional Catskill styling with modern materials. Features precise hackle proportions and a clean body taper that suggests multiple aquatic insects. The wing configuration provides excellent visibility while maintaining realistic proportions. Its balanced construction allows natural drift in varied current speeds, making it effective as both an attractor and imitative pattern on Eastern and Western waters.
Materials
Hook: Grip 14723BL #16-8
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, black
Rib: D-rib, small, olive
Abdomen: Coarse dubbing, olive and bright green mix
Legs: Whiting Farms Coq de Leon hen saddle barbs (or brown partridge)
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Adult caddis skitter across the water during late-evening ovipositing flights, creating continuous disturbance patterns as they repeatedly touch down and lift off across glides and pools. Trout position themselves in feeding lanes during these caddis dances because the insects' predictable flight corridors concentrate food sources in narrow zones, allowing efficient feeding without repositioning.
Where Trout Eat It: Trout rise to mayflies and caddis in varied current speeds from technical creeks to freestone rivers. The Catskill-style construction with modern materials creates a balanced profile for multiple insect types.
How to Fish It: Fish with 9-12 foot leaders to 5X tippet. The clean body taper allows natural drift in varied currents—use reach casts to extend drifts.
Best Water: Focus on seams with mixed current speeds (1-3 feet) and tail-outs below riffles.
Strike Type: The Catskill-style construction produces classic rise forms during drag-free drifts through seams. Watch for expanding rings and confident head-and-tail rises as fish intercept the balanced profile in varied current speeds.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a 9-12 foot leader tapering to 5X tippet for delicate presentations. Apply floatant to the body and hackle.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective during peak feeding periods at dawn and dusk. Water temperatures between 45-65°F typically produce best results.
Pro Tips: Floats well with proper floatant application. The natural materials provide good visibility without spooking wary fish.
Entomology
Adult caddis skitter across the water during late-evening ovipositing flights, creating continuous disturbance patterns as they repeatedly touch down and lift off across glides and pools. Trout position themselves in feeding lanes during these caddis dances because the insects' predictable flight corridors concentrate food sources in narrow zones, allowing fish to feed efficiently without repositioning.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult