The elk hair caddis is a dry fly commonly used for trout fishing. If you elect to imitate the adult caddisfly of this species, two effective patterns are the trusty elk hair caddis created by al troth decades ago, and the newer variation of that theme called the x caddis. Widegap dry fly hook here, a daiichi 1100, sizes 1018. The elk hair caddis is a dry fly resembling an adult caddis. Elk hair caddis versus the x caddis fly tying maine fly fish. The elk hair caddis is an effective fly for caddis flies. The deer hair caddis is a common fly amongst anglers, and usually a favorite as well.
Troth created the pattern and first fished it in 1957 on loyalsock creek in eastern pennsylvania. Elk hair caddis galloups slide inn dry flies caddis. It has all the elements you would want from a fly when a high. Mar 29, 2019 if you love fly fishing and want to save money by making your own flies, start with a caddis fly. The elk hair caddis is a staple fly pattern in trout fishermens box around the world.
The elk hair caddis is considered a searching type pattern as it resembles the general form of adult caddisflies or small stoneflies. From midearly spring to late fall, caddis are on the menu for trout. Al troth came up with elk hair caddis in 1957 and it has been wreaking havoc on trout ever since. With so many variations to match the 14,000 types of caddis it is also the most. Widegap dryfly hook here, a daiichi 1100, sizes 1018. The term caddis represents an order of insects that have over. Ec caddis emergent cripple during this fly tying tutorial, i tie the ec caddis emergent cripple created by. The elk hair caddis is meant to imitate a fluttering adult caddis, though it will also work as a spent adult. This, along with the adams and the griffiths gnat, is one of my all time favorite dry flies. In the article, troth claimed that he had set out to. If you love fly fishing and want to save money by making your own flies, start with a caddis fly. One of the most traditional of dry flies, the elk hair caddis is a very productive pattern for both streams and still water. Description brown elk hair caddis dry fly same day shipping, no sales tax a classic western dry fly choice.
The standard elk hair caddis is often the first choice of western fly fishermen when theyre trying to pick a fish off with a surface fly. Check out our awesome video fly tying tutorials for great dry fly patterns, fly tying tips and some new and innovative tying techniques. The elk hair caddis can be tied in several colors to match the caddis hatching, but the tan is. Elk hair caddis, beginners fly tying series, episode 12. Elk hair caddis versus the x caddis fly tying maine. Elk hair caddis dry flies can be purchased at the fly shop. Fly tyingelk hair caddisthe deadliest flies youtube. It uses a dry fly hook with a dubbed and palmered hackle body and elk hair as the wing which aids in its buoyancy.
Elk hair caddis fly tying materials shop highquality. This is the perfect hair for tying salmon flies, one of the most sought after dry fly hatches in the western u. Fly tying videos the professor gyorfi zsolt youtube gyorfis patterns have been the best of the best that rflytying has seen. This elk hair caddis video includes detailed flytying instructions. This tutorial will show you how to tie the elk hair caddis to match this hatch. Invented somewhere west of here by al troth, the elk hair caddis has over the years proved to be an unparalleled fish catcher. When al troth first tied the elk hair caddis i doubt that he could have anticipated how popular this fly would become. Dry fly caddis patterns catch fly fishing billings, mt. The ehc as it is also known is one of the best adult caddis patterns that you could use. This is probably one of the most popular dry flies used in the sierras. Parachute caddis fly tying instrucions fly dreamers. If you were to carry only one caddis imitation this would be the one.
Each piece is truly unique with very subtle differences in the marking, a stunning fly tying material to work with. Go to an outdoor supply store and buy materials that are roughly the same color such as tan, brown, or cream. This is a great pattern for the beginning fly tyer, and its incredibly effective from late spring into early fall. He has substituted moose mane for skunk hair on the skunk hair caddis pattern made famous by the late, great joe brooks. Tied with just a few materials, it can be dressed up in countless ways to match specific. Cut off excess stem with scissor tips or pull back on hackle to break it off at thread wraps.
This is a fine hair with the perfect amount of flare, allowing it to lay flat and full for a impeccable salmon fly. The patterns i have seen call for bleached elk hair, which is going to produce a lighter colored fly than regular deer hair, unless it comes from the deer belly. Browse the patterns below, choose, click and watch our stepbystep, easy to follow fly tying tutorials. Green caddis has bleached elk hair patches for a good price. In each case, woodchuck fur underfur, guardhair, or both is one of the ingredients. Tied here by brad befus, it is also a good fly to learn how to palmer body hackle. Elk hair caddis pattern fly tying tutorial trident fly. I have had good luck with both but in slower or still water i have better luck with x caddis i think the lower profile and the shuck trigger more action. The elk hair caddis was created by pennsylvania fly tyer al troth in 1957. He is considered a pioneer in the sport of fly fishing for this invention.
After body completion evenly wind hackle forward from tail base to front end of body. The elk hair wing makes this pattern float extremely well in fast water. I agree the elk hair caddis fishes well in heavy riffles. This method, developed by bob quigley, is combined with a caddis hair wing, making for an incredibly buggy look. In many parts of the country, mayfly hatches are dwindling, and midsummer means caddisflies. Simple, easy to follow instructions and professionally shot video make this a must view. Nov 02, 2016 i agree the elk hair caddis fishes well in heavy riffles. This simple version of the elk hair caddis is sure to catch you lots of fish. You may encounter a caddis hatch on the river from march through october, but the black elk hair caddis may be employed during the small stonefly. Elk hair caddis southern wisconsin trout unlimited. Its a high floater with a very visible profile from above and below the surface. This is probably the most well known caddis pattern in existence, and rightly so. No trout box is complete without a few orange elk hair caddis.
Some fishermen just prefer to stock their boxes with woolly buggers and maybe some other patterns in different sizes and colors, thinking that a good day in th view. For good reason too, the elk hair caddis is extremely effective at mimicking adult caddis and comes in a larger variety of sizes and colors. Elk hair caddis fly tying materials shop highquality fly. Jul, 2011 in many parts of the country, mayfly hatches are dwindling, and midsummer means caddisflies. The elk hair caddis fly pattern was designed by al troth in pennsylvania, usa in the 1950s, to imitate the adult caddis the wing shape is the key as in it causes the water disturbance to mimic that of a scurrying adult caddis and the trout watch out for this movement when feeding. Salt and pepper, sweet chili, or original mothers day, october or plain old evening. Dry fly hackle, light or dark to match the natural. Caddis are found around the world in all freshwater habitats. For decades, the standard by which all caddisfly patterns have been judged has been al troths elk hair caddis, which first came to the flyfishing publics attention in a 1978 article in fly tyer but which troth had been tying for some years. The elk wing caddis dry fly is one of the most popular and proven dry flies in the world. Al troth developed this superb imitation of an adult caddis fly. Definitely check out his videos to see how he ties these amazingly detailed flies. Another thing i do is tie in the wing by the tips rather than the butt ends, then trim and shape the wings with a sharp pair of scissors.
You can also drop a smaller dry or a small nymph off the back of this pattern and use it like an indicator. Underneath each video tutorial, you will find a list of ingredients used. At rest the wings are folded in a distinctive tent shape down the back. For decades, the standard by which all caddisfly patterns have been judged has been al troths elkhair caddis, which first came to the flyfishing publics attention in a 1978 article in fly tyer but which troth had been tying for some years. What i mean is that they are naturally delicious treats, no matter the.
The versatility of the elk hair caddis is the key to its success. The basic pattern shown in this video features a tan color scheme. I have used this along with a couple of flies as my main lures while fly fishing the sierras. Eric leiser is credited with having popularized this pattern. Elk hair caddis tying instructions fly tying guide. Hold hackle and using wire, wrap forward in 5 6 evenly spaced wraps and tie off at end of body. Select a clump of elk hair, remove the short hairs and fuzz, even the tips of the hair in a hair stacker and measure for length. This classic caddis pattern is from the tying bench of well know american fly tyer al troth. Elk hair caddis fly dries flies gear north 40 fly shop. Whether youre fishing from the bank or from a drift boat, this fly is a musthave in every anglers dry fly box. Cut off excess stem with scissor tips or pull back on hackle to break it.
This elk hair caddis general pattern was originally tied by al troth in 1957 for use on loyalsock creek in pennsylvania, and this is an all season pattern. Your coastal hair comes attached to the skin in a rough square. Skues little red sedge fly which featured a hair wing. The elk hair caddis is one of the most popular fishing flies of all time. Parachute caddis fly tying instrucions our boxes are filled with endless patterns and every year new ones are added, unless one decides to fish only with the ones that never fail. Trim a notch in the hackle along the top to allow the wing to nestle among the hackle barbs. The materials and construction of the bug are critical to its performance. Beginning fly tying elk hair caddis global flyfisher.
The cow salmon fly hair averages 2 inches in length, and the bull is 23 inches on average. The elk hair caddis probably accounts for more trout than any other adult caddisfly imitation. Dec 11, 20 dream cast foam body elk hair caddis dry flies dozen in green stay safe and healthy. Its a bit different than the standard elk hair caddis, but it. Im wanting to tie some elk hair caddis for bluegill fishing also. This particular pattern is tied to imitate the caddis. The elk hair caddis can fish like conventional dry flies, as well as be skated across the top of the water to attract feeding trout. The elk hair caddis is also similar to a bucktail caddis, which originated in the pacific northwest and was very popular beginning in the 1950s. This lure works like a charm in most of the lakes, and creeks in the area. Floats extremely well in rough water, durable, and deadly. The dry fly pattern imitates the natural caddis, one of the most prolific insects across north america that trout feed on. The elk hair caddis is perhaps the most versitile worldwide season long effective dry fly pattern that exists today. Al troth originally designed this fly in 1957 on loyalsock creek.
Add a couple of tighter wraps of thread while holding the hair in place to cause the hair to flare a little. Caddis flies are one of the most important aquatic insects imitated by fly fishers. Looking not unlike a stonefly, cricket, even a small hopper and several other insects, this dressing also makes an effective searching pattern. Color to match the body of the natural usually brown, tan, olive or black. Caddis hatch in droves and provide big meals for trout of all sizes. Elk hock is reasonably tough, but still retains some of the buoyancy found in ordinary elk hair. Mar 10, 2019 pearl and elk elk hair caddis fly tying video instructions. Dream cast foam body elk hair caddis dry flies dozen in.
Dec 11, 20 dream cast foam body elk hair caddis dry flies dozen in green. One of the simplest dry flies for the beginner to tie the elk hair caddis is an excellent fish taker as well. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Featured in this fly tying tutorial is the splitsville caddis, a pattern created by jonny king. Peacock and elk hair caddis fly fish food fly tying and fly fishing. Learn to tie many great flies in the orvis flytying video library. Aug 01, 2011 the elk hair caddis dry fly is probably the most popular adult caddis fly pattern imitation in fly fishing. The elk hair caddis dry fly is probably the most popular adult caddis fly pattern imitation in fly fishing. Flyfishing and flytying ideas, stories and patterns below are four caddisfly recipes.
Go to an outdoor supply store and buy materials that are roughly the same color such as tan. A bucktail caddis has a body of wool, a palmered hackle, a tail and wing of bucktail, and a collar of dry fly hackle at the head. Fly tying demonstration al troth interview stepbystep tying sequence for lefthanded and. Anglers choice llama dubbing, any other dubbing that is designed for dry flies. The elk hair caddis is a hugely popular pattern across much of the us. The wing is made from a small bunch of elk hock hair that has been bleached to a light tan. Hook, fulling mill short shank special size 12 thread, uni80 rusty. Here is another proven caddis pattern sent to us by customer mark a. Having a few different sizes and colors in your fly box of the elk hair caddis is key to your success. In the tradition of all great flies its why didnt i think of that quality has reinforced its reputation and resulted in a continual presence on practically every trout bearing water in the world. The elk hair caddis in brown, yellow and orange are great dry flies for trout. Caddis are to fish like pistachios are to drunk dudes playing poker though, i imagine, the fish dont feel like theyre. This pattern is a standby that should be in every flyfishers box.
If youre grading on effectiveness, simplicity, and adaptability, the elk hair caddis scores an 11. The elk hair caddis can be tied in several colors to match the caddis hatching, but the tan is a good all around fly. The shank is relatively short for the gap size, which i like. Brown, tan or cree saddle or neck hackle, wrapped palmer style over the. Originally created by al troth, the elk hair caddis is the most famous caddis dry fly ever designed. Feb 20, 20 this simple version of the elk hair caddis is sure to catch you lots of fish. With a similar look to the elk hair caddis, and only slightly more difficult to tie, i recommend trying out your skills on this one. Dark gray, olive, tan, and dark brown work great for us.
Premium discount fishing flies hand tied by our own tiers since 2004. This is a newer patter that utilizes a method called the hackle stacker. One other thing you can do to this fly to make it more floatable is to palmer a grizzly dry fly hackle from the bend. Rather than imitating a particular species, it uses the typical roofwing profile to mimic a whole range of medium to small brown caddis flies. Articles he has written make it clear that he was a great fan of woodchuck as a tying material. Another one of the most popular dry flies for trout is al troths elk hair caddis. It is a great choice in moving water where the elk hair wing throws a good profile against the sky.
The fly was inspired by several palmered flies troth like to fish and g. Hold the hair firmly in place and secure with a few loose wraps of thread behind the hook eye. I dont palmer the body, but wrap the hackle at the front end of the hook as a collar, after tying in the wing. Trout flies, caddis flies, elk hair caddis, discount flies. While i occasionally find the need to switch to another fly, most days this would net me a half dozen fish in an hour. Ultra 70 tying thread, match to color a separate piece. The elk hair caddis is a goto dry fly pattern by many fly fishers. Trout fishing tips, carp fishing, fishing lures, fishing jig, fishing books, fishing. Brown rib, fine copper wire body, peacock herl dyed hot orange use the herl from the eye wing, roe deer or similar hackle, whiting dry fly cree cock horns, barred woodduck.
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