Annual Caddisfly Hatch Arrives

Every April and May, as the Arkansas River begins to warm, a natural phenomenon draws throngs of anglers to the annual Caddisfly Hatch. The starting time can vary from year to year depending on the weather, but once the hatching begins, the air will be thick with millions of insects buzzing around and the fly fishing community will be abuzz about where the hatch is the thickest.

Caddisflies look like tiny moths. They belong to the insect order Trichoptera (hair wings). There are over 11,000 types of caddis worldwide, but they all have the same insect life pattern: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. They all require water for the larval stage, but trout love them in whatever stage they are in.

The adult caddis live for several days to a few weeks, emerging to complete their life cycle and lay eggs back into the water again. After dropping their eggs, the females die and lay spent on the surface. It is during this brief cycle each year that trout gorge themselves, and as all anglers know the best time to catch fish is when they are feeding.

Curious spectators and fly-fishing enthusiasts alike are invited to participate in this incredible experience at beautiful Maytag Mountain Ranch. Bring the whole family and enjoy the other activities the Ranch has to offer such as horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking, or just sit back on the porch and enjoy the beauty of Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains.