Cinnamon Sedge
Limnephilus lunatus — Summer Sedge, Reed Smut
A common summer evening caddis found across Europe — its reliable evening hatches from June to August provide consistent dry fly fishing.
Caddisflies — Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Body 10–14 mm / Hook size 12–14
Evening
Chalk streams, freestone rivers, and stillwaters
Lifecycle
Limnephilus lunatus larvae build mobile cases from fine gravel and plant fragments. The larval period extends through autumn and winter, with the larva overwintering in its case. Pupation occurs in a sealed case. The pupa swims actively to the surface in the evening.
Peak months
The Cinnamon Sedge is one of the most reliable and widespread summer caddisflies in Europe. The regular, predictable evening hatches of Cinnamon and related sedges from June through August provide some of the most consistent dry fly fishing of the summer season.
Fishing tips
The Late Evening Rise
Position yourself on a productive pool or flat in the final hour before dark. Watch for the first sedges appearing over the water — adults flying low, touching the surface, caddis-rises beginning in the glides.
Fly patterns
Other hatches
TerrestrialsBlack Gnat
Bibio johannisA ubiquitous summer terrestrial — the Black Gnat is available to fish on virtually every European river when other hatches are quiet.
MayfliesBlue Winged Olive
Serratella ignitaThe most important small olive on British and European chalk streams — reliable, widespread, and technically demanding.
Midges & DipteraBuzzer / Midge
Chironomidae sp.The most important insect of all on stillwaters — year-round, in every month, on every productive lake and reservoir in Europe.
MayfliesCaenis
Caenis horariaThe infuriatingly tiny mayfly that hatches in such vast numbers that fish refuse to look at anything larger — the tying and presentation challenge of a lifetime.
TerrestrialsCommon Cockchafer
Melolontha melolonthaDuring evening flights, heavy beetles fall onto water and become high-value mouthfuls for surface-feeding fish.
