Caddis Borealis

A Versatile Caddis Pattern for Colorado's Rivers

The Caddis Borealis is a productive caddis pattern designed to cover multiple stages of the caddis life cycle — making it an effective choice throughout the season on Colorado's premier trout waters. Whether caddis are hatching, emerging, or egg-laying, this pattern presents a convincing target that trout on the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Colorado River recognize and eat with confidence.

Fish it subsurface as a nymph or wet fly, or swing it through the current to imitate an emerging or egg-laying caddis. The #14 covers most standard caddis activity; the #16 is a great all-around size for most conditions; the #18 is the right call on low, clear water when trout are selective and feeding on smaller naturals.

Pattern Details

• Style: Caddis wet fly / emerging pattern
• Sizes available: #14, #16, #18
• Hook: Curved nymph/wet fly hook
• Effective fished dead-drift, on a swing, or as a dropper
• Covers caddis larva, pupa, and emerging stages
• Productive on the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, Colorado River, and most Colorado tailwaters
• Works spring through fall during caddis activity

How to Fish It

Dead-drift under an indicator or on a tight line at depth to imitate a drifting larva or pupa. At the end of the drift, let it swing up through the water column — this rising motion imitates an emerging caddis and often triggers aggressive strikes. Also works well as a dropper off a dry fly or as part of a two-nymph rig with a Zebra Midge or RS2.

Available in store at Glenwood Springs Outdoors, 831 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO.