Goddard Caddis

Originally named the 'G & H Sedge' (John Goddard & Cliff Henry Sedge) and still known as such in Britain, this caddis imitation was born from the observations of fly fishing entomologists John Goddard and Cliff Henry. Intrigued by the silhouette of caddisflies skittering over the water's surface during the late part of the day, they ingeniously wound buoyant deer hair onto a hook, sculpting it to match the insect's wing and body shape. The result was an almost unsinkable fly that, when retrieved on the water surface, created a realistic wake, proving irresistible to trout. A radical design upon its introduction in fly fishing publications, the G & H Sedge, or Goddard Fly, mimics the caddis's mad dash for safety during hatching, enticing trout with its lifelike wake. The stubby wings cause surface disturbance, emulating the commotion created by the natural insect, leading to spectacular takes from hungry trout.

Fish the Goddard Caddis with a dead drift through riffles and seams, or skitter it across the surface to mimic a caddisfly laying eggs. This fly excels in faster currents due to its buoyant design but benefits from periodic floatant application to maintain its effectiveness. For added versatility, try trimming the bottom of the deer hair to allow the fly to sit lower in the surface film, imitating a caddis struggling to emerge.