Sparkle Pupa

Created by Gary LaFontaine

HOOK: 900BL, sizes 12-20 THREAD: Brown SHROUD: Tan Antron "ballooned" over abdomen. Leave a few fibers trailing out the back. ABDOMEN: Green Antron WING: Light deer hair tied sparse HEAD: Dark brown Haretron or marabou

Uses

This pattern imitates a caddis pupa that is about to hatch into an adult. When the pupa is ready to hatch, it fills with gas which buoys it quickly to the surface. There is a moment of hesitation, at which it is vulnerable, then the adult emerges and immediately flies off.

 
The Sparkle Pupa revolutionized fly fishing during caddis hatches and turned on a generation of tyers to the sparkling qualities of antron fibers.

Variations

Vary the color and size to match different caddis hatches.
How to match different caddis hatches

How to Fish

Dress the deer hair wing only. Use a floating line and a shallow nymph presentation. A wet-fly swing can also be effective. The Deep Sparkle Pupa is designed to be fished near the bottom, but many anglers just use this pattern for both deep and shallow presentations. When fishing it deep, present the fly near the bottom using the indicator or tight line presentations.