Before the rains came over the weekend, the hatches of American grannoms (Brachycentrus americanus) on the Battenkill were monstrous. Each evening, driving home from work, I’d have to turn on the windshield wipers because so many of these caddisflies were in the air. My kids first thought that it was raining when they heard the sound of the bugs hitting the car. Grannoms generally hatch in the morning, and they return in the evening to deposit their eggs. These flights of egg-laying (or “ovipositing”) caddisflies bring trout to the surface, and you can tell by the splashy, violent strikes that the fish are eating these elusive bugs.
In this great video from Tightline Productions, Matt Grobert ties his version of an egg-laying grannom, using Zelon to imitate the egg sac. As usual, Grobert, an author and blogger, demonstrates some useful tying tips. I especially like the way he attaches the Zelon with just a couple wraps and then slides it into place before he secures it. That surely saves material and lessens the need to trim.
Egg-Laying Grannom Caddis
Hook: Standard dry-fly hook (here a Dai-Riki #305), size 16.
Thread: Olive, 6/0.
Egg Sac: Green Highlander Crinkled Zelon.
Abdomen: Natural gray Australian possum.
Underwing: White Straight Zelon.
Overwing: Natural snowshoe rabbit foot.
Thorax: Natural Hare’s Ear dubbing.
Head: Tying thread.