Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases an effective jig-style caddis pupa design that rides hook-point-up to reduce snags and improve hookups. The nymph skin body over ice dub underbody creates a realistic segmented appearance with subtle flash, while the mixed dubbing collar adds movement and suggests the fuzzy thorax of natural caddis pupae. The sexi floss antennae complete the emerging caddis profile and provide additional attraction through movement in the current.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- Caddis pupae kick and swim actively toward the surface using powerful leg strokes, their translucent body skin revealing the rusty brown underbody and expanding wings. The sexi floss antennae mimic the distinctive long antennae that trail behind ascending pupae.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Trout intercept this jig-style pupa throughout water column during active caddis emergence, particularly effective when pupae are ascending from 3-6 foot depths toward surface. The mixed dubbing collar suggests fuzzy thorax of natural pupae.
- How to Fish It
- Fish on euro nymph rig with tight-line contact—the jig hook reduces snags and improves hookup rates. Works as point fly or dropper in two-nymph setup with 4X-5X fluorocarbon—brown bead blends naturally while sexi floss antennae add movement.
- Best Water
- Excel in riffle edges and tail-outs on freestone streams during caddis emergence periods. The slotted tungsten bead sinks quickly while riding hook-point-up, making it ideal for rocky substrates in moderate-flow runs.
- Strike Type
- Euro nymph strikes register as sharp ticks or sudden weight changes in the sighter material; react immediately with a quick upstream lift of the rod tip.
Fishing strategy
- Rigging Suggestions
- Fish on a euro nymph rig with a long, light leader. Works well as a point fly or dropper in a two-nymph setup. Use 4X-5X fluorocarbon tippet.
- Seasonal Timing
- Most effective from when caddis are active. Particularly productive during caddis emergence periods when pupae are ascending toward the surface.
- Pro Tips
- The brown bead and body blend with natural caddis coloration while the ice dub adds subtle flash for attraction. The pattern is designed to sink quickly and ride hook-point-up near the bottom.
Where to fish it
Rivers anglers pair with this fly, with local shops that stock it.
River details and fly shops from River & Run, our sister site.
Entomology
Caddis pupae ascend actively toward the surface using swimming leg motions, accelerating rapidly as they prepare to emerge into winged adults. Fish intercept these ascending pupae because their upward trajectory and conspicuous movement make them easy to track and capture.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common name
- Caddisfly
- Organism
- insect
- Life stage
- pupa
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- tight-line-nymph
- competition
- dead-drift
- caddis-hatch
- attractor
- searching-pattern
- freestone