Since I’m still very new to fly tying, I decided to look up a few basic fly patterns online and tinker around with the materials I have on hand. This was my first attempt at the basic elk hair caddis.
The elk hair caddis is one of the most popular flies around, particularly in the West. It imitates an adult caddis fly (duh!). The fly floats high on the water, is easy to see, and subsequently is really fun to fish with. It also works good as a strike indicator when fishing nymphs on a dropper. Here’s my version:
Hook: 14-16 Dai Riki #300 dry fly
Thread: light color, 70-140 denier
Body: any fine, light colored dubbing
Rib: small copper wire
Hackle: Whiting grizzly neck hackle
Wing: elk body hair
1. Wrap light colored thread on hook shank, tie in small copper wire near bend in hook.
2. Wrap thread to front of hook, tie in hackle.
3. Wrap hackle toward rear, then wrap copper wire toward hook eye, securing hackle.
4. Tie in elk hair wing and cut off excess hair. Whip finish.
Being one of the first flies to come off my vise, this one is far from pretty, but it has caught some fish!
I tried another elk hair caddis in a darker color.
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