Umpqua Caddis Poopah Gold Bead Nymph Fly

Overview

Tim Fox developed the Caddis Poopah on California's lower Sacramento River, tying his first version in 1989. It became a guide favorite in Northern California, and it is now a go-to caddis pupa on trout water everywhere.

Caddis pupae rise from the bottom toward the surface to hatch, trapping a bubble of air in their skin. The Poopah's vernille body over pearl tinsel copies that bubbly, shiny look, and its soft legs and antennae add life. This version adds a gold brass bead to help it get down to the fish before it starts to rise.

Euro Specs

• Bead: Brass.
• Hook: Curved, caddis-pupa style hook (Fox ties it on curved pupa hooks).
• Role: Dropper or middle fly; the brass bead is too light to anchor fast, deep water.

How to Fish It

• Indicator dead drift: Fox's favorite from a boat and in long, slow runs.
• Tight-line: high-stick it through pocket water and riffles, then let it lift at the end of the drift like a rising pupa.
• Swing: in late afternoon and evening, swing it and expect strikes near the end of the swing.
• Dry-dropper: Fox hangs it 6 to 10 inches below a small yellow Stimulator.

Choosing Color and Size

Olive is one of the original Poopah colors and matches green-bodied caddis, which are common across the West.

Size 14 covers most hatches. Go to 12 for bigger caddis and heavier water, and 16 for small caddis and clear water.