Dry FliesOvi-Caddis
The Ovi-Caddis is a dry fly pattern designed by Wally Lutz. This effective pattern combines traditional materials with proven techniques for consistent results in a variety of water conditions.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Beginner
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Wally Lutz's Ovi-Caddis imitates egg-laying caddis with a distinctive trailing egg sac. The pattern features a dubbed body with a bright trailing section representing the exposed egg mass female caddis carry while depositing eggs. This specific life stage triggers aggressive strikes as trout recognize the vulnerable behavior. The low-riding profile and CDC wings keep the fly in the critical strike zone while the contrasting egg sac provides a clear target for feeding fish.
Materials
Hook: Hayabusa model 55233 hopper hook dry 2x long size 8 -10
Thread: Danville's 6/0
Body: 3 parts - brown deer spun and trimmed, brown hackle, brown dubbing
Wing: brown deer, stacked and left untrimmed
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Female caddisflies dive repeatedly beneath the surface to attach egg masses to submerged rocks and vegetation. Fish wait in ambush below these ovipositing insects, striking as they descend or resurface when they're most focused on reproduction.
Where Trout Eat It: Surface and just below the surface in riffles, runs, pocket water, and along current seams where egg-laying caddis concentrate.
How to Fish It: Present with a dead drift followed by subtle skating and twitching motions to imitate egg-laying caddis females because this reproduces the vulnerable diving behavior. Allow the fly to swing at the end of the drift, then lift and twitch across the current.
Best Water: Riffles, runs, pocket water of freestone streams, tailwater riffles, current seams, and lake near inlet streams during evening caddis activity. Focus on fast to moderate current speeds.
Strike Type: Visible surface take or splash as trout intercept the skating fly. Watch for aggressive strikes during the swing.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a 9-12ft 5X tippet for most conditions. In technical water or for selective fish, extend to 6X. Apply floatant generously to maintain high-floating profile during active presentations. Shorter leaders work in pocket water.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective late May through September during peak caddis activity, with exceptional results during June and July. Focus on afternoon through evening hours when adult caddis are most active, continuing through early fall during autumn caddis hatches. Fish during evening hours from 5 PM through dusk when egg-laying activity peaks and water temperatures are 54-68°F because this matches peak ovipositing behavior.
Pro Tips: The shuck trailing behind imitates the egg sac of ovipositing females, making this pattern particularly effective during peak egg-laying behavior when trout selectively target these vulnerable caddis.
Entomology
Female caddisflies dive repeatedly beneath the surface to attach egg masses to submerged rocks and vegetation. Fish wait in ambush below these ovipositing insects, striking as they descend or resurface when they're most focused on reproduction rather than predators.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult