Elk Hair Caddis
The tent-wing dry fly that revolutionized caddis fishing.
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.
History & Lore
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.
Variations
X-Caddis
Trailing shuck replaces hackle for flush-floating emerger profile.
CDC Elk Hair Caddis
CDC underwing adds floatation without bulk.
Goddard Caddis
Spun deer hair body for ultimate buoyancy in heavy water.
How to Fish It
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.
When to Use
Spring through fall whenever adult caddis are present. Also an excellent searching pattern on freestone rivers even without a visible hatch.
Materials
- Hook
- TMC 100, #12-18
- Thread
- Uni 6/0, tan
- Hackle
- Brown or grizzly dry fly hackle, palmered
- Body
- Hare's ear dubbing, tan or olive
- Wing
- Bull elk body hair, tent style
Tying Video
Tying Steps
Start thread at the eye and wrap to the bend. Tie in a dry fly hackle by the tip.
💡 Select hackle one size smaller than normal — the palmering adds plenty of float.
Dub a tapered body of tan or olive hare's ear dubbing from bend to 80% of shank.
💡 Keep the body slim; bulk comes from the hackle.
Palmer the hackle forward over the body in 5-6 open spiral wraps. Secure at the thorax.
💡 Palmered wraps should be evenly spaced.
Stack a clump of elk hair in a hair stacker for even tips.
💡 Use bull elk body hair — it's hollow and floats best.
Measure the elk hair so tips extend to the bend, forming a tent-wing silhouette. Tie in with 3 firm wraps.
💡 Pinch the hair to prevent flaring on the first wrap.
Trim the elk hair butts at a steep angle to form a bullet-shaped head.
💡 The trimmed butts add to the bushy, buggy appearance.
Whip finish at the eye and cement the head.
💡 A small drop of UV resin on the thread wraps at the head adds durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Elk Hair Caddis should I use?
The Elk Hair Caddis is most commonly tied in sizes 12–18. Spring through fall whenever adult caddis are present. Also an excellent searching pattern on freestone rivers even without a visible hatch.
What does a Elk Hair Caddis imitate?
The Elk Hair Caddis primarily imitates adult caddis, October caddis, Grannom. 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 cadd
What materials do I need to tie a Elk Hair Caddis?
Key materials include: Hook, Thread, Hackle, Body, Wing. Palmer a hackle over a dubbed body from bend to thorax, tie in a tent wing of elk hair tips, trim th
How do you fish a Elk Hair Caddis?
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.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Dry Flies
- Sizes
- 12–18
- Colors
- Tan, Olive, Brown
- Hook Styles
- Standard dry fly, 1x fine wire
- Imitates
- adult caddis, October caddis, Grannom
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater
- Origin
- Al Troth, 1957
Target Species
Pattern Details
- Category
- Dry Flies
- Sizes
- 12–18
- Colors
- Tan, Olive, Brown
- Hook Styles
- Standard dry fly, 1x fine wire
- Imitates
- adult caddis, October caddis, Grannom
- Water Types
- freestone, tailwater
- Origin
- Al Troth, 1957