dry
Elk Hair Caddis
Al Troth's Elk Hair Caddis is the definitive adult caddis imitation. The palmered hackle body and tent-shaped elk hair wing create a buoyant, high-riding silhouette that trout slam in broken water. It is a must-have on every freestone river from Montana to Patagonia.
Originated by Al Troth, 1957
Recipe
- HookStandard dry fly hook (TMC 100) · Tiemco
- ThreadTan tying thread 8/0 or 70 denier · Veevus
- BodyCaddis tan dubbing · Hareline
- HackleBrown dry-fly hackle
- RibGold wire small
- WingNatural elk hair
History
Al Troth developed the Elk Hair Caddis in 1957 on the Beaverhead River in Montana. Frustrated with existing caddis patterns that sank quickly, he designed a durable, high-floating fly using elk hair's natural buoyancy. It quickly became the world's most popular caddis imitation.
Tying overview
Palmer a hackle over a dubbed body from bend to thorax, tie in a tent wing of elk hair tips, trim the butts to form a bullet head.
Fishing tips
Fish the Elk Hair Caddis with a slight downstream twitch to imitate caddis skating on the surface. It is deadly in pocket water and riffles where caddis are active. On evening caddis hatches, skitter it across the current seams.