Casebuilding Caddis

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The casebuilding caddis, as opposed to caseless free-living larva, are not as easily found moving freely in the water at depths that can be reliably imitated with flies.  However, imaginative anglers and modern, sinking lines and fly materials give fly fishers a far better chance than in the past.

Here are a few samples of the casebuilding caddis larval stage "homes" . . . note that some are made of stones and others of plant materials. (The insect family name is shown beneath the image.)