Overview

The CZ Caddis Tungsten is a Czech-style caddis larva tied by Umpqua with a tungsten bead and a hot spot collar. Czech nymphs were made to be fished tight to the bottom with short lines, and this pattern follows that idea: a dense, segmented body and enough weight to get down fast with little or no split shot.

Free-living caddis larvae are on the menu in most trout streams all year. When they lose their footing in the current they tumble along the bottom, and trout pick them off. The cream body matches pale larvae, and the hot spot collar gives fish a trigger point in faster or off-color water.

Euro Specs

• Role: Anchor (point) fly in sizes 10 and 12.

How to Fish It

• Euro or Czech nymphing: fish it as the point fly and lead it through riffles and runs with the leader tight.
• Under an indicator: pair it with a smaller nymph or midge and set the depth so it ticks bottom.
• Pocket water: the tungsten bead gets it down fast in short drifts behind rocks.
• Year-round: caddis larvae are always in the drift, so this is a good searching nymph in any season.

Choosing Color and Size

Cream matches pale caddis larvae and stands out against dark rocks. Size 10 is the heavier anchor for deep, fast runs, and size 12 fits moderate water or a two-fly rig with a lighter dropper.