It’s the Great Pumpkin! No, it’s the October Caddis …

The last hatch of supersized bugs for this season has started on Back Lake, as the “October Caddis” have been making their appearance this week. Unlike the much better known and anticipated Hexagenia hatch, October Caddis (also known as fall caddis or the giant orange sedge) come off in a sporadic fashion most of the fall until our fishing season ends on October 15.

You seem to read about the hatch being present in river habitats more often, but there is no doubt that we have them here on Back Lake. Usually our fly patterns go smaller as the fishing season goes on, but the emergence of the October Caddis is a welcome respite from minuscule flies and tippets, as well as magnifying glasses. The hatch can be intermittent at times, and an angler probably won’t see as many of them as on a typical night of fishing the hex, but the trout and bass still seem to be inclined to taking them when they do come off.

There’s also a few of our favorite patterns that serve as a good imitation of the nymphs and dries. The Golden Demon, one of our favorite flies on Back Lake at any time of year, can be especially effective during this hatch, particularly when trolling or stripping, in the case of fly casters. It is a good representation of the emerging nymphs on their way to the water’s surface.

Sounds pretty simple, but the Orange Stimulator or Orange Elk Hair Caddis should be the ticket when fish are actively rising for the October Caddis, especially in the evenings when the lake is calm.

For a much more detailed exposition on this exciting end of the season hatch, check out this article: Giant Fall Caddis: A Trout’s Last Big Meal Before Winter , and good luck out there if you can go.