Caddisflies (Trichoptera) of the Sierra Nevada

The caddisflies are a large and diverse group of aquatic insects, and species are found in nearly all freshwater habitats. At present, 308 species are known in the state of California; 199 of these are present in the Sierra Nevada, and 37 are endemic to the Sierra. The largest family of caddisflies found in California is Limnephilidae with 63 species and the second largest is Rhyacophilidae with 59 species. These also happen to be the largest and second largest families found in the Sierra Nevada.

Glossosoma Emergence

Emergence periods for these caddis often extend over a four to eight week period. The specific time of year depends on the species and water conditions (see hatch table below). In the West, with its diverse populations, a near continuous chain of hatches occurs from March through November. A few species have a bimodal emergence, or two hatches per season, with peaks in the spring and fall. Fishing success depends on timing and observation, not on being able to identify the specific species occurring in your streams. Observation is the biggest factor.

Glossoma Hatch Table

Caddis Species	Winter Months	Spring Months	Summer Months	Fall Months
glossoma califica		April, May, June
glossoma alascense		April, May, June	July
glossoma traviatum	March	April, May, June	July
glossoma velona	February, March	April	August
glossoma penitum	January, February, March	April, May	July, August, September	October

Imitations for Glossoma

Pattern Name	Color	Hook Size	Thumbnail Image
BH Bird's Nest	Green Body	# 16
Hare's Ear Nymph	Tan, Brown Body	# 16
LaFontaine's Sparkle Pupa	Green Body	# 14
Sparkle Pupa	Green Body / Tan, Brown Shroud	# 16
Elk Hair Caddis	Tan Body	# 16

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