When does the Mother's Day Caddis hatch?

April–May, typically 14:00–19:00. It starts from about 9°C, peaks around 12°C and tails off by 16°C.

What flies imitate the Mother's Day Caddis?

Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, typically on a #16–14 hook.

How big is the Mother's Day Caddis?

Adult stage: 7–10mm. That matches a #16–14 hook.

Caddis · Aquatic insect

Mother's Day Caddis

Brachycentrus occidentalis

Size

7–10mm

Hook size

#16–14

Hatch window

Season April–MayPeak time 14:00–19:00

Water temperature

12° peak

9°16°

How fish feed on it

Adult insects on the water are inefficient — a caddis skittering to lay eggs, a stonefly blundering about after crawling out, neither built for elegance. Trout treat it as an easy meal and a bit of theatre at once, chasing a moving fly with more enthusiasm than they'd ever give a still one. Movement is the tell; a static adult imitation often just sits there unloved.

Flies that imitate this

Elk Hair Caddis

X-Caddis

Ecology

Rivers & stillwaterFreestone rivers

Where you'll find this

North America — WestPresent

Present throughout

Identification

Brachycentrus occidentalis is a species of humpless casemaker caddisfly in the family Brachycentridae. It is found in North America.

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