Something Very French & Very Caddisy

Les Trois Caddis Colorés
Here at Barbless Flies, May, June & July are by far and away our busiest months, you will often find both Jack and I burning the midnight oil at least 6 days a week: getting all of your orders out in a timely fashion, working on new fly patterns whilst also continuing to write books/articles and emails.
I often find that by the end of the day, I am completely exhausted (both mentally and physically), so I don't often fish in the evenings - I prefer to sit quietly with a good fishing book and a glass of something Scottish!
During these three months, I try to plan my fishing trips accordingly, and fish very early in the morning - I have to drive alongside the river on my way into Barbless Flies HQ, so it would be rude not to stop for a cast or two (or three) while the mornings are still so light.
At this time of the day, one of the most popular dry fly imitations I use (outside of the Mayfly hatch) is the humble Caddis/Sedge pattern - these are nocturnal insects that return to the water to lay their eggs, just as I'm arriving on the river.
The Tri-Colour Caddis
There are many different variations of Caddis/Sedge fly, but today I have one of the very best all-purpose Caddis/Sedge patterns available.
It was originally devised in France to fish on the faster more riffly water - it floats high on virtually all types of water and will fool fish throughout the UK, no matter which river (or stillwater) you are on!
It's called the Tri-Colour (Tricolores) Caddis ...
The Tricolores is a French palmered fly pattern used to entice both Trout and Grayling.
A palmered hackle is one which starts at the bend of the hook and runs the full length of the hook shank, finishing at the eye. This style of tying is most commonly found in the Griffith's Gnat and makes the fly ride high on the water and less prone to sinking.
The original fly pattern recipe suggests it is a 'bug' with a graduated dark hackle (which is extremely difficult to find). However, more modern interpretations of the pattern usually use the three colours (White, Brown & Black). It's not unusual, in the more rural parts of France, for this pattern to be tied in White, Olive & Lime to imitate the vivid green upwinged flies they see during the summer months.
We've only got 40 of these Tri-Colour Caddis Selections available - I'm keeping a few back for myself, to use over the next 6 weeks or so!
Our Tri-Colour Caddis Selection contains 3 each of sizes 12, 14 & 16. That's nine flies in total, for only £12.00 delivered free of charge to anywhere in the UK.
Keep reading for more info on the Caddis/Sedge - you'll be glad you did ...
Please Remember: We've only 40 of these selections available, so if you want a set, you will need to be quick - These flies can also be bought individually here if you would like to top up your selection!
Go on, treat yourself - you know you want to - at only £12 for the selection, these will not hang around for long!
Want to know a little more about the Caddis/Sedge?
What is it?
There are around 30 distinct Caddis/Sedge species found throughout the UK, Europe and Russia. These Caddis flies are known as "humpless case-maker Caddis flies". These flies are easily identified as they will generally be the only fly on the water flying as if it is drunk (i.e. very haphazardly).
Please Note: You will often see these flies referred to as either Caddis or Sedge; they are both the same and are interchangeable as far as the fly angler is concerned.
Location(s)
They are found in every part of the British Isles. They can be especially prolific in Central, Southern and South West England; in Wales and Northern England (Ribble and Eden), and in parts of Scotland. Most Caddis flies are only found in running water, they prefer gently running water, so you do not usually find them hatching in very high and fast-flowing rivers. The various caddis flies usually start hatching at the beginning of April and will continue through right until the end of September.
When do trout take them?
Trout will take Caddis in any one of its three stages (nymph, emerger and dry). Caddis will generally hatch during the warmest part of the day (anytime between 11am and 3pm), so this is when to try an emerger pattern. Caddis usually hatch from shallower water and don't give the trout much of a chance to intercept them on their way to the surface. The best time to use a caddis imitation is either in the evening or in the early mornings when the adult females return to the water to deposit their eggs - time to give your new Tri-Colour Caddis flies a try. These flies should be fished as you would any other dry fly, and they should be used as soon as you start to see the insects on the water; this can be anytime from about 18:00 until after dark and very early in the morning.
Caddis - Top Tips
Caddis (or Sedge) flies are best used in either the early or late part of the day, as this is when the flies are at their most active. These Caddis flies are deadly in the smaller sizes just at twilight!
When fishing with a Caddis fly, it's always worth giving it a little twitch every now and then if you are not getting attention from the fish. When you watch the naturals, their flight is very haphazard and they always land on the water with quite a commotion - they are not the daintiest of movers! Keep this in mind when covering rising fish.
Tight lines & have a great weekend.