Spotted Sedge Larva

The Spotted Sedge is a net spinning caddisfly which hatches late in the afternoon or evening all season long in the West. It is indeed, the most common caddisfly found in the West and may be the most important caddisfly in existence. It may only be rivaled by its sister caddisfly the Cinnamon Sedges of the East. Together the Cinnamon Sedges and the Spotted Sedges comprise about 70% of the total caddisfly population.

They are important because of the length of the hatch time and because of their giant populations. At times, the Western streams appear to be covered with the Spotted Sedges. The egg laying activity usually does not occur until after sunset or when it is almost dark. Indeed it is possible to fish with the Spotted Sedge imitation well after some other hatches have stopped for the day.

This genus is from the Hydropsychidae family and are called net- spinners. The reason these are called net- spinners is because they drift tiny nets in the current to catch their food or small particles of food from the water. They do not build caves to live in, but they build shelters where they live when not feeding or relocating. The Spoted Sedge larva will dangle themselves on a silk line attached to a rock near their shelters, making them an easy prey for the trout. By the way, it is very difficult to observe the nets due to their delicate nature.

They are prevalent in almost every stream in the West and also are found in many of the Mid West and Eastern streams in the USA. They need current to survive and usually live in the riffles and runs of streams especially where there are algae present.