Pulsating Caddis

Materials

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Hook Daiichi 1260, #12-16
Thread Danville Olive 6/0
Head 3/32 Gold Bead
Underbody Caddis Green Glass Beads
Overbody Mottled Nymph, Golden Stone
Thorax March Brown Antron Dubbing
Legs Mallard Flank dyed Woodduck
Hydropsyche Caddis Larvae
Hydropsyche Caddis Larvae

Pulsating Caddis

Jim Pettis

Jim Pettis

This Nymph pattern was developed by Jim Pettis, a guide on the lower Sacramento River, in 1993. The fly can be used in both streams and stillwaters. It was intended to represent Hydropsyche caddis which are prominent in the Lower Sac. Most popular colors are root beer and medium olive.

The term ‘pulsating’ comes from the combination of the beads and the dubbing material which give off a pulsating effect when moving within the water column. Jim ties this pattern as a pupa, pupa bead-head , and emerger. Generally, he fishes this on the bottom as a beadhead pupa in the early morning, mid water in the afternoon as a pupa pattern, and a surface emerger in the evening. The fly can be used throughout the season from April through October.

Variations

Pulsating Caddis Emerger, Tan
Pulsating Caddis Emerger, Tan

Pulsating Caddis Emerger, Tan

Hook TMC 200R, #16
Thread Danville Olive 6/0
Wing Bleached Elk Hair
Underbody Root Beer Glass Beads
Overbody Mottled Nymph, Golden Stone
Thorax Cahill Cream Antron Dubbing
Legs Mallard Flank dyed Woodduck