Helesus radiatus and Helesus digitatus - Caperer

The caperer is one of the largest of the sedge flies found in Wales. It is seen on the wing in the evenings from mid-August until the end of October.

Adult caperer sedge fly

The larva makes its case from pieces of vegetation, often cementing one or two long sticks along the case, which provides protection since trout cannot then easily swallow the larva case and all.

Fishing tips

An emerging sedge pupa is a very effective fly on lakes and slow-flowing rivers on summer evenings. Here is an artificial pattern devised by Davey Wotton:

Artificial sedge pupa

For copying the egg-laying adult, a size 12 G&H sedge is a very effective imitation and is best dragged across the surface just as darkness is descending. This tactic works well for trout and for sea trout.