Elk Hair Caddis
09 Jun 2025
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Elk Hair Caddis
A popular dry fly mimicking and adult caddis fly for when fish are surface feeding.
How it's tied
The Elk Hair Caddis is tied using a short shank hook and features a body made from dubbed fur or synthetic materials. The fly's distinctive wing is created from a tuft of elk hair, which provides both buoyancy and a realistic profile. The elk hair is carefully flared and tied down at the head of the fly, then trimmed to shape. A palmered hackle is often added, running the length of the body to give the impression of legs and add further flotation. The Elk Hair Caddis can be tied in various sizes and colors to match local caddisfly populations.
What it mimics
The Elk Hair Caddis is designed to imitate adult caddisflies, a common and important food source for trout and other fish species. Caddisflies are found in various waters, making it a versatile and highly effective fly pattern. Its realistic profile, buoyancy, and lifelike movement on the water's surface make it an attractive target for surface feeding fish.
Where it's used
Elk Hair Caddis flies can be used in a wide range of water types, including rivers, streams, and lakes. They are particularly effective in areas with abundant caddisfly populations and during caddisfly hatches, when fish are actively feeding on the surface. To fish the Elk Hair Caddis effectively, present it gently on the water's surface and allow it to drift naturally with the current, mimicking a resting or struggling adult caddisfly.
Fly tying video for the Elk Hair Caddis
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