The Elk Hair Caddis

Good imitation for the brachycentrus, an olive bodied caddis fly.

         It is almost certain that if you fish dry flies ;and you use a caddis pattern you probably have an Elk hair Caddis in your fly box. This most widely used dry caddis pattern has stood the test of time and has won the hearts after many an angler. Designed to be a high floater and durable the Elk Hair Caddis achieved fame in just a few short years after well known tier, Al Troth, created the fly to fish with on his home waters in Montana. If you have only one dry caddis pattern in your fly box it should be the Elk Hair Caddis. It can be tied in sizes #10 to #18 and in many color variations.

Tying Instructions
Hook:
Thread:
Rib:
Body:
Hackle:
Wing:
#10 to #18 Dry fly hook
Brown
Fine gold wire
Olive dubbing
Brown or dun
Bleached elk hair

1.       Lay a base of thread from about one-fifth hook length behind the eye of the hook to a point about one-third hook length in front of the bend of the hook. Tie in a piece of copper wire on the near side of the hook and continue to the bend of the hook securing the wire tightly. Add a drop of cement to help secure the tire in place.

2.       Add a layer of dubbing to make a smooth body and wrap forward to the end of the thread base. Tie in the hackle by the butt just in front of the body and make two tight turns close together wrapping towards the bend of the hook. The hackle should now be wrapped palmer style to the end of the body. With the hackle still in the hackle pliers hold the pliers with your left hand and with your right hand wind the rib in wide even wraps forward to the hackle tie in point securing the hackle with the wire. Tie off the wire with the thread and brake the wire butt off by pulling it back and forth, DO NOT cut the wire as this will create a sharp edge that can break small thread. Lift and trim any hackle butt sticking out.

3.       Trim and stack a bunch of elk hair and measure the length against the hook. The wing should extend slightly past the end of the hook. Hold the wing with your left hand and secure it on the top of the hook. The wing should flare slightly when tied in correctly. Make sure the wing is in tight and will not roll on the hook when pressure is placed on the thread. Lift the butt ends of the wing and trim ever there the end of the eye of the hook. With your finger or thumb push up on the butt ends to allow room to tie off the head. Create a small thread head between the wing tie in point and the eye of the hook. Whip finish and add a drop cement to the head and to the wing tie in point. Your Elk Hair Caddis is now ready for the river.