Sparkle Pupa
19 Jun 2025
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Sparkle Pupa
Designed to mimic a caddis pupa during its emergence, with its key feature being the translucent and sparkling body, that imitates the natural insect's gas bubble.
How it's tied
The Sparkle Pupa is typically tied on a curved or straight-shank hook. The body is formed from dubbed fur or synthetic materials, creating a fuzzy, irregular shape that imitates the caddis pupa's segmented body.
One of the defining features of this fly is the "bubble" of antron or similar material tied over the body. This translucent sheath imitates the gas bubble that forms around a real caddis pupa during emergence, giving the fly its name and much of its effectiveness.
To complete the fly, a soft hackle is often added around the collar, simulating the legs and antennae of the emerging insect.
What it mimics
The Sparkle Pupa is designed to mimic a caddis pupa in the moments of its emergence, just as it's about to break through the water's surface. The use of translucent materials to imitate the gas bubble is a stroke of genius that gives this fly its unique appeal and effectiveness.
Where it's used
The Sparkle Pupa is most effective in rivers and streams during a caddis hatch. The fly is designed to be fished in the surface film, imitating a pupa that's about to emerge.
Fly tying video for the Sparkle Pupa
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