Sedges, also known as caddis flies, are among the most important insects in UK fly fishing. Unlike the spectacular but relatively short-lived Mayfly hatch, sedges are present throughout much of the trout season and often provide outstanding fishing from late spring well into the autumn. They are particularly associated with warm summer evenings, when trout can feed confidently on both emerging insects and egg-laying adults.
There are many different species of sedge in the UK, varying considerably in size and colour. Cinnamon Sedges, Brown Sedges and Grannom are among the best known, although countless other species appear throughout the season. Rather than trying to identify every individual species, most anglers concentrate on matching the size, colour and behaviour of the naturals they see on the water.
Unlike upwing flies, sedges have a complete life cycle consisting of larva, pupa and adult. The larvae live on the riverbed, with many species constructing protective cases from gravel, twigs or other debris. When ready to hatch, the pupae swim rapidly towards the surface before emerging into winged adults. This rapid ascent makes the pupal stage particularly vulnerable, and trout often intercept the insects before they reach the surface.
Adult sedges behave very differently from upwing flies. Instead of sitting motionless on the water, they are active insects that frequently skate, flutter and bounce across the surface as they lay their eggs. Trout quickly learn this behaviour and often take adult sedges with explosive confidence, making some of the most exciting dry fly fishing of the season.
Although sedges hatch throughout the day, the best fishing often occurs during the evening and into the final hour of daylight. As light levels fall, increasing numbers of adults return to the river to lay their eggs and trout become noticeably more willing to rise. Even after the last visible rises have disappeared, fish may continue feeding well into darkness.
At Peaks Fly Fishing, sedge fishing is one of our favourite ways to target wild brown trout during the summer. We usually begin by fishing emerger patterns as insects start emerging before switching to adult patterns once trout begin taking flies from the surface. If fish are chasing skittering naturals, allowing the fly to skate gently across the current can produce spectacular takes.
## Recommended Fly Patterns
### Larvae
* Caddis Larva
* Hydropsyche Larvae
* Czech Nymph
### Emergers
* Grannom Emerger
* Klinkhammer Special
### Adults
* Elk Hair Caddis
* Cinnamon Sedge
* Brown Sedge
* Peaks Fly Fishing Popping Caddis
## Peaks Fly Fishing Tips
* Fish emerger patterns before changing to adult sedge patterns.
* Summer evenings often produce the most consistent sedge fishing.
* During the summer, try running a larger caddis pattern down fast, riffled water. Trout often hit these flies aggressively as adult sedges skitter across the broken surface.
* Listen for splashy rises at dusk - they are often trout taking adult sedges.
* Carry both light and dark sedge patterns to match the natural insects on your local river.
