2010 Caddis Fly Swap

Elk Hair Caddis

The Elk Hair Caddis can be fished dead drift, with an occasional twitch or really made to skate and struggle. It can also be really effective to pull it under at the completion of the drift and gently stripped back, to trigger aggressive takes.
Hook: Standard Dry Fly, sizes 18-8
Thread: Tan Uni Thread 6/0
Rib:  Fine Gold Wire
Body: Olive Sow/Scud Dubbing
Hackle: Brown
Wing: Bleached Elk Hair

Body Rib and Hackle

Start tying thread about 1/16 of an inch behind the hook eye, wrap tying thread back to hook bend and tie in the hackle and wire. Dub the body back up towards the eye. Palmer the hackle forward and tie off. Then wrap gold wire forward through the hackle and secure behind the eye.

The Wing

Cut a small bunch of Elk hair. Hold the hair by its tips and comb through it to remove short hairs and fuzz. Stack the hair in a hair stacker. Measure the hair about 3/16 behind hook bend and snip the butts straight. Tie end the hair bunch with the tips rearward using the pinch. Add several wraps to form a collar and whip finish.  Add head cement to the collar.

Tied by Bill Thorne

Thanks: Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple by Skip Morris 

Click for Printable Recipe