Deadly Flies You Should Be Using Now! | | |
Sedge - A VIP Species
Sedges are one of the important species of fly for fly fishermen. There is nothing like seeing a sedge skating across the surface of a river or lake, especially when we see that great wake or hear the big 'sloop' as it is swallowed down by a greedy trout. | | |
| There are actually over 200 species of sedge flies identified in the UK but only 20 are of major interest for fly fishermen with really 4 of key interest on rivers and streams. | |
| Caddis flies are far more flexible than is first envisaged when used in a team. As sedge / caddis flies skate across the surface of the water, these are great flies to suspend buzzers or nymphs below on rivers and lakes. This deadly technique works by allowing the sedge to drift with the buzzer or nymph below. Both flies are deadly, often called "Bankers" by river fishermen. Try stopping the sedge which forces the suspended buzzer or nymph to rise and then drop again when the sedge is released on a downstream drift. | |
Caddis Team On lakes and reservoirs, a caddis team with buzzer or nymph is best positioned suspended in the feeding zone, which is commonly only 18" to 2 feet down. Simple slow retrieves of the caddis fly, about 12 to 18 inches at a time with a pause between retrieves, causes the sedge to ripple across the lake, simultaneously lifting the buzzer which then drops back down into the feeding zone. This technique looks both like a natural caddis moving across the water and the buzzer lifts and drops like the natural buzzer emerging in the water. Fishing with Stimulator's in this manner is a deadly summer technique, especially early in the evening as the caddis are more prevelant. | | |
| Finally do not be afraid of using two sedges on a dry fly rig. Again this can be highly productive. Make sure that your tippet is de-greased though. Note: Be sure to use small and lightweight buzzers or nymphs when suspended below a caddis. If using beadhead buzzers then don't go bigger than a size 16 to 18 maximum, or a size 12 to 14 for non weighted buzzers and nymphs. You must be careful to use a highly buoyant caddis. The suspended flies can be tied to the eye or the caddis or to the hook bend. | |
Major River Sedge Flies (Trichoptera) For river fly fishermen there are 4 major sedge flies to focus upon: The Sand Fly and Cinnamon Sedges are partcularly prevelant in August and September. | |
Sand Fly Sedge - Rhyacophilidae The Rhyacophilidae (often just called Rhyac) has 4 different species in the family. Hatching during May and again between August and October, this sedge loves cool flowing water. | | |
| The nymphs are found in fast, often stony bottomed rivers. This sedge is known as the Sand Fly Sedge because of its yellowish colour. It has greyish-yellow wings and measures 10 to 14mm. Use Goddard Green Caddis or Elk Hair Caddis Olive as imitators.
This fly hatches all day and has no general hatch time like some sedges.
| |
Cinnamon Sedge The Cinnamon Sedge hatches during July and August. It is part of the family Limnephilidae which has 58 species including the Caperer and Cinnamon Sedge. The Caperer is well known on southern chalkstreams and measures 17 to 22mm. | | |
The Cinnamon Sedge (Limnephilus lunatus) has a distinctive pale crescent shaped mark bordered with black on its wing with a pale stripe running across the center of the wing. It measures 12 to 16mm. The Limnephilidae family like all types of water including brackish pools and water. Try using a
Elk Hair Caddis Tan when these are about.
The Cinnamon Sedge hatches late evening.
