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Egg laying female caddis
A lot of the species of caddis found on the Vaal River do not deposit their eggs on the surface, the females, after mating, break through the surface and swim down to the substrate where they lay their eggs: Once complete the females struggle back to the surface, at this stage they are very vulnerable... this is a very succesful tactic for yellows during the hatch, egg laying flight and as a searching pattern.
Caddis pupa
Many of the caddis in the Vaal do not emerge through the water column, they crawl to the nearest piece of substrate that reaches to the surface, this can be rocks and logs in mid current or the bank. During the hatch you will find yellows patroling these structures... a well placed pupa does the trick!
Czech caddis
A caddis larva tied in the Czech nymph style. I use this pattern a lot when Czech nymphing the Vaal, somneimes stringing up 3 on a leader with varied colour combinations.
Hydropsychidae caddis larva (1)
When they're on they're on and the yellows will eat almost anything, but a lot of the time they are not on! This is when super realistic patterns can make the difference and produce the strikes.
Hydropsychidae caddis larva (2)
Colour variation for various species (and cause they look good)
Sparkle Yarn caddis
An adjusted version of Oliver Edwards' Ryacophilla larva: This pattern is incredibly resistant to abuse and can take dozens of fish before destructing. I vary the colours to match the local species.
The Hydrolator
An adjusted Kauffman's Stimulator to imitate the large Hydropsychidae caddis adults of the Vaal which are over an inch long excluding the antennae. The poly yarn wing is very visible and highly buoyant. I would love to find a "glow in the dark" winging material for post-dusk hatches. |
