Dry FliesLowrider Biot Caddis
Hans Weilenmann's Lowrider Biot Caddis sits low in the film on a dubbed cinnamon pine squirrel abdomen, with a sparse deer hair underwing beneath a dark brown goose biot wing. Pine squirrel guard hair spun in split thread forms the head and legs, giving the fly a buggy, translucent profile for slow caddis water.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
The goose biot wing lies flatter and takes on more of a natural's tent shape than a hair wing would, while the pine squirrel dubbing carries guard hairs that suggest legs without a separate hackle. Weilenmann designed it as a generic template meant to be re-tied in whatever color matches the local caddis, so the cinnamon dressing here is just one option among several. It suits calmer runs where fish have time to inspect a low-floating adult before committing to a rise.
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Materials
- Hook:
- Tiemco 102Y #15
- Thread:
- Benecchi 12/0, tan
- Abdomen:
- Pine squirrel, dyed cinnamon
- Underwing:
- Deer hair, sparse
- Wing:
- Goose biot, dyed dark brown
- Head/legs:
- Pine squirrel guard hair, dyed cinnamon - in split thread
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Adult caddis rest low in the surface film with bodies partially submerged and wings elevated in tent shape. They drift calmly through runs with legs dangling below the waterline.
Where Trout Eat It: Surface film in moderate currents where adults maintain this distinctive low profile.
How to Fish It: Dead drift with no added movement, allowing the fly to sit naturally in the feeding window where trout inspect surface prey.
Best Water: Target slicks and glides with calm surface currents, riffle edges where caddis emerge and rest, and seams where surface tension creates ideal drifting conditions.
Strike Type: Confident sips as fish rise to the distinctive low-riding profile that's easy to identify.
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: The low-riding design allows this pattern to penetrate the surface film, making it highly effective during heavy caddis activity when trout focus on emergers rather than fully emerged adults.
Entomology
Adult caddis sit low in the surface film with their bodies partially submerged, legs dangling below while their wings remain dry and elevated in characteristic tent shape as they drift through calm runs. Trout feed confidently on these low-riding adults because their distinctive profile sits right in the feeding window, and the partially submerged body provides a satisfying mouthful that's easy to detect visually.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult
