Beginner's question about elk hair caddis and caddis emergers

[ezatnova]

How should elk hair caddis and caddis emergers be fished? Are they like a standard dry fly? Do the caddis emergers come UP from the bottom of the stream, or does this stage in the bug's life mean that it has just emerged as a flying insect and it is supposed to have fallen on top of the water?
Thanks!

 

[afishinado]

Here is some info on caddis hatches that should answer your questions:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1520501/caddis_fly_life_cycle.html

http://www.flyfishusa.com/flies/cadlarva.htm

http://www.rmgameandfish.com/fishing/flyfishing-fishing/RM_0708_02/index.html

 

[gfen]

Elk hair or CDC caddis dries can be fished like any other dry fly. I've been told that its also beneficial to sort of skirt the fly over the surface before pickup as sometimes that'll trigger the fish to strike.

I use sparkle emergers like any other wet fly, I guess. I ususally have it as point fly with two nymphs underneath, let it get pulled through the current then swing it and raise the rod at the end of the current to sort of trigger the fish that its rising.

I've been told that caddis pupae (larva? whatever) are actually adept swimmers, unlike mayfly nymphs.