Fly Tying

Here is a video with my simplest version of caddis nymph. It’s super effective because it’s fat, durable, and packed with energy, making it an irresistible meal for fish. This is why caddis larvae are one of the most important food sources for trout and grayling in freshwater rivers and streams.

There’s a little story behind this fly—here it is:

It was early spring, more than 20 years ago, when I found myself fishing a challenging yet beloved river—the Crișul Repede, nestled in the Transylvanian Mountains. I was with a good friend, both of us drawn to this water for its beautiful trout and grayling.

We reached a perfect spot—a deep, steady current where we each had room to cast. I fished from one side of the river while he worked the other. But soon, something strange happened…

He was catching fish—one after another—while I struggled. For every three trout he landed, I managed just one. I adjusted my leader, changed flies, tried everything I could think of, yet nothing made a difference.

At the end of our session, I finally asked him what he was using. With a knowing smile, he showed me his fly—a simple Caddis Larva. Same materials, same technique, yet it outperformed all my choices that day. That moment taught me a powerful lesson: sometimes, the simplest flies are the most effective.

Years later, I introduced the body material to the Troutline store, making it available for others to use. And today, I’m sharing this nymph with you—because even after all these years, it still catches fish just like it did back then.

Materials:

• Hook: Caddis type, Demmon Supreme C400 #12/14
• Thread: Perdigon yellow body thread
• Body: Mojo Yarn – A10 color
• Thorax and legs: Black dubbing – Coastal Drift dubbing – I found this excellent for such type of flies
• Tungsten: black in 2.5mm

Below are a few photos from Crisul Repede—all credit for the photos goes to my friend Ovidiu Popescu: