North 40 Fly Shop eMagazine October 2017 | Page 58

FALL CADDIS
& THE FLIES THAT MATCH
IF YOU DON’T PACK THESE EASY-TO-TIE
OCTOBER CADDIS PATTERNS TO THE
RIVER THIS FALL, YOU’RE MISSING OUT
BY TYLER BALICH
During my first few falls in Idaho, I fidgeted at
work like an amped-up greyhound in the chutes,
ready to chase down that fake rabbit.But I didn’t
want no stinkin’ rabbit. I was after something
else—the October caddis hatch.
By the time work ended each day, I’d already
have my waders on and my rod rigged with a
big, orange Stimmie. I’d jump in my rig and haul
tail down I-90 to steal a couple of hours on the
river during the best time of the year. Once out
of my truck it was more of a “fast walk” than a
run, but I would start at the top of my favorite
riffle and skate and twitch that Stimmie all the
way through. Some evenings I’d catch a couple
fish; other times I’d crush.
The fall caddis hatch on the Coeur d’ Alene,
St. Joe, and Clark Fork rivers, among many
others, always is strong and we see a peak
around the end of September through