Spotted Sedge (Hydropsyche species)
The spotted Sedge, or species of the hydropsyche genus of caddisflies, is one of
the most important aquatic insects there are. It may be the most important
caddisfly there are. Other than its sister Cinnamon Sedges of the East, it doesn't
have a rival. It is estimated that the net-spinning caddisflies which includes the
Spotted Sedges and Cinnamon Caddis represent about 70% of all the caddisflies
in trout streams. It even rivals the Blue-winged Olive mayflies in this respect.
One reason it's so important is its lengthy hatch time. You will find them on the
water of the various streams just about the entire season. Another reason they
are important is their sheer numbers. At times some of the Western streams are
just about covered with Spotted Sedges.
The larvae really don't have any protection from being eaten by trout. They hang
out in little shelters but trout can eat them shelters and all. Much of the time they
are suspended on a silk line extended from near their shelters feeding.
The final part of the hatch, the egg laying activity, doesn't occur until very late in
the day. It's usually well after sunset and sometimes as late as almost dark
before the caddis really get started depositing their eggs. The advantage of this
as I see it, is that you can fish very late in the day after other hatches have
ended. There maybe some mayfly spinner falls going on at the same time, but
basically, this just makes for a full day of fishing.
It's estimated that caddisflies represent as much as half of the caddisflies eaten
by trout. I suggest that you be prepared to imitate three stages of life - the larva,
pupa and adult. Trout eat them in all three of these stages of their life.
In the upcoming articles, we will cover the detail of imitating the Hydropsyche
caddisflies or Spotted Sedges, whichever you like to call them.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
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