North 40 Fly Shop eMagazine October 2017 | Page 59

GODDARD CADDIS
On top, I like a big oversized Goddard Caddis with
an orange belly. I tie these robust, on a strong
hook, and I’ve found the Goddard skates better
than most other dries and is equally durable.

RUBBERBAND BUG
When I’m not up top, meaning early in the day, I
fish a cased caddis nymph and a pupae imitation.
The pupae pattern I tie to match these bugs is
the Rubberband Bug. I tie it on a big, #8 scud
hook with a wide rubberband wound around the
shank, and black ice dub wound on for the head.
This guy works awesome and is super easy to tie.
drift. You switch-rod guys—this is right up your
alley, and the perfect bug to run with a light four
or five-weight rod. If you are a single-hand rod
guy or gal, a longer 9 1/2-to 10-foot rod, which
gives you a little more height and control, is
ideal for skating.
It’s my favorite time of year. Days now range
no higher than the mid-60s and 70s, the trees
are changing colors, elk are bugling in the
woods, and hungry cutthroat are smashing big,
fluffy caddis. No reason to not be out there. w
ROCK CASED CADDIS
The Rock Cased Caddis I tie is also simple. I use
sparkle chenille for the body and strengthen it
with a wire rib. I use the same black ice dubbing
for the head.
You’ll want to have these nymph patterns in
your fly boxes because there is a time in late
August and early September when the fish really
key on them, just as the nymphs and pupae
move from deep water into the shallows. At that
time, you may notice that the trout have raw
spots on their noses from picking these caddis
off the tops of the rocks. You may also notice
that their bellies have a crunchy feel to them,
your indication to fish the pupae or nymph. That
crunchiness is caused by the tiny pebbles that
these caddis use to build their cases. I know
we’ve missed that late summer window this
year, but you’ll want to tie up a bunch of these
for use in 2018.
When you fish the Goddard, you’ll want to
give it some movement. And this is refreshing
after fishing small bugs on a true dead drift,
to skeptical trout, all summer long. Skating
or skittering the Goddard usually draws more
strikes than you would get with a standard dead
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