The Elk Hair Caddis Dry Fly
The elk hair caddis is a simple fly to tie, but is one of the best to have in your box.
You can tie this caddis varition in many different colors. The elk hair caddis can be tied so that the body and wing match,
or contrasting colors can be used for a nice two toned effect. Experiment and see aht works best for your area.
- Dry Fly Hook Size 12 - 20
- Dubbing for the underbody
- Thin copper wire
- Dry fly hackle appropriate for the hook size
- Elk Hair
- 6/0 or 8/0 Uni-thread
Tie on your thread at mid shank, and wrap to the bend of the hook. Take a small length of copper wire, and tie it in sticking out the back.
Apply some dubbing was to your thread, and place a small amount of dubbing to the thread. Twist the dubbing to create a small rope, and then wind the dubbing around the shank. Make your wraps so that you form a slight taper towards the head of the fly.
Take a hackle, and prepare it by removing a few fibers from the end, leaving you with a small quil to tie in. Tie in the hacklewith the curve of the feather against the shank.
Wrap the hackle towards the back of the hook. When you reach the bend, keep light tention on the hackle and begin to wrap the copper wire toward the head of the hook. The wire should be wrapped in the opposite direction of the hackle.
Tie off the wire at the head od the hook, and remove the excess wire and hackle.
Take a small bunch of elk or deer hair and use a hair stacker to even the tips. Place the hiar on top of the fly so that the tips are at about the bend of the hook.
Use a pinch wrap to tie down the elk hair. Be careful to not wrap so tightly that the hair flairs, and not too loose so that it twists on the hook. Add a couple of wraps under the hair and above the eye of the hook. This gives better access to the eye hole and adds a little more durability to the fly.
With a sharp pair of scissors, trim the elk hair to form your head. Add a whip finish to the fly,
and cement the head.