NymphNitro Caddis Pupa

The Nitro Caddis Pupa is a highly effective, realistic pattern that imitates the pupal stage of a caddis. With its lifelike silhouette and subtle flash, it's an excellent fly for tricking wary trout.

Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty
Advanced
Target Species
Trout
Nitro Caddis Pupa - Image source: AvidMax
Image source: AvidMax

Overview

This flashy caddis pupa features a dubbed or Ice Dub body with a bold beadhead and a hint of UV sparkle. A thin wire rib adds segmentation, while a hotspot thorax and soft hackle give it life in the drift.

Pattern Characteristics

Advanced Difficulty
Trout
Stillwater
Moving Water
Spring
Summer
Fall
Imitates: Caddis Pupae

Materials

Hook: Firehole 315 Size 14
Bead: Firehole Tungsten Bead 3.0mm Black
Thread: Semperfli Nanosilk 12/0 Black
Body: Pearl Core Braid Olive
Thorax: SLF Pattern Blends, Dark Stone Nymph
Collar: Brahma Hen Hackle
Wingcase: Mallard Flank Dyed Wood Duck

Fishing Tips

Season

Effective during caddis hatches, which typically occur in spring, summer, and fall.

Presentation

Dead drift in the middle to upper water column, especially during a hatch.

When to Use

When caddis are hatching and trout are keying in on pupae.

Water Type

Works well in both stillwater and moving water.

Rigging Suggestions

Use as the lead fly in a tandem nymph rig, or trail it behind a dry fly during a hatch.

Visibility & Floatation

This fly sinks but is fished closer to the surface during a hatch. It's not highly visible, so sighter tippet or an indicator may be helpful.