Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations what was that?

Last weekend I was looking at the water as the ice pulled away from the bank, then I saw a worm inside a shell, shaped like a straw, about 3 inches long. It was using it's mouth to pull itself along the bottom. What the heck was it? I have never seen anything like this under water. Anybody Know?

Brad, I'm pretty sure that it was a species of Caddisfly. as larvae, they use bits of debris from the bottom, or hollow plant stems as a sort of camoflauge/house. I have seen some use sand or small pebbles glued together. They are common also in streams. They are an indicator of excellent water quality and are fed on by alot of fish. They morph into flying adults.
Robert B

Thanks Robert, I'll have to look that up. And if it was a caddisfly, that is a big help in knowing my water quality is not as bad as I think.

Here are some links to Caddis Fly pictures.
Caddis Fly
Caddis

As with what Robert says, the only place I have seen them is in very clean/rocky trout streams.

Thanks Pottsy, that was it! Guess I'll have to stock trout, that'll make the bass happy!!!