Mo Bradley has been tying “fly fishing patterns” for the Kamloops Lakes since the 1960’s. Mo came to Kamloops in 1965 from Derbyshire, England. Retired from his auto body repair career, he continues to promote his love of fly tying and fly fishing. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, Mo hosted a TV show called “Just Fly Fishing” and a phone-in radio show about fly fishing the Kamloops Lakes. In 2011 Mo was presented with the 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award for his 30-plus years of developing and promoting recreational fishing in the Kamloops/Shuswap area and for his skill as a master fly-tyer who donates his flies, which are in considerable demand, to various causes.
Mo Bradley – Caddis Pupa
Fly Tying Pattern from “Ice Off to Ice On”
The Caddis Pupa is a great fly tying pattern for those early to mid-summer evenings on the Kamloops Lakes.
Some life history on the pupa.
The sedge pupa can range from 3/8” of an inch to 1 inch+ in length. Body colour’s are so arranged in nature as to match its environment, so tie some with a marl coloured body ranging from light brown to greens.
Once while fishing one of the many lakes in the “Kamloops”, area and taking lake sample’s, I netted one which was all black, so when tying some patterns be sure to tie all sizes and all colours. I always tie twelve of each size and each colour I want… and always ‘BARBLESS.’
Insect: Caddis Pupa.
Can be fished: May through September.
Colours: greens, browns and marl colours.
Hooks: 8- 3x and smaller (BARBLESS}
Body Material: chennile, phentex, or dubbing
Tail: Golden Pheasant
Immature Wings: mallard breast
Other: pheasant rump
Fly Tying Instructions:
1. Dress hook. by wrapping tying thread from eye to bend of hook.
2. Tail is optional – golden pheasant.
3. Tie in body material i.e .chenille or dubbing.
4. Wrap tying thread to within 1/8 of an inch of eye.
5. Then wrap body material to within 1/8 of an inch of eye, tie off.
6. Now tie in mallard breast feather one on each side, or just one on top, and then pull forward till feathers are the same length as body, tie off.
7. Tie in pheasant rump, or golden pheasant fronds, a few fronds tied on sides and and top for swimmers. try keep a little longer than body.
8. Now tie one frond peacock herl , and wrap clockwise for head, tie off and cement head.
Now where would fish this morsel?
If one lets common sense prevail, where you find the sedge larvae in spring time, you should find the sedge pupa from “July through august”, depending on the elevation were you fish.
The lake bottom that I look for is a weedy area ten to fifteen foot (10’-15’), also a few scattered lily pads, or other tall plants for them to climb up and rest.
The line I prefer is a full floater, again with a long leader and a very slow retrieve.
One more thing… sedges like to hatch on or around the time of the full moon so buy yourself a “Solunar table” and read it from cover to cover.
It sure helps with full moon.
Trust me… Be observant, quiet, and enjoy.
