The elk hair caddis is a common sight in most fly boxes. You can confidently say that almost all dry fly fishermen have the pattern tied and ready to go. It is also a recognizable pattern that first appeared in the Yellowstone region in the early 1970s. Over the years, elk hair caddis haven’t evolved much and continue to help catch a ton of fish, especially trout.
Having said that, it can occasionally be challenging to learn, and people who are unable to identify what and how the trout are feeding may find it difficult to use.
In this guide, we’ll cover the reasons behind the popularity of the elk hair caddis fly and why they work so well for trout fishing.
What is the Elk Hair Caddis?
To better understand the elk hair caddis fly, let’s take a moment to explain what a caddis is for the sake of new readers.
Caddisflies are moth-like insects with long antennae out front and tent-shaped wings down the back. They have three main stages in their life cycle and are an important food source for trout.
- Nymphal/larva stage
- Emerging pupa stage
- Winged adult stage
This fly was first fashioned to mimic the Green Caddis, but it can also be mistaken for a terrestrial or stonefly. The fly, when tied in larger proportions, can undoubtedly be mistaken for a spider or an insect that has fallen into the water.
Brief Background of Elk Hair Caddis
Al Troth was the first to develop and knot the Elk Hair Caddis. When the Elk Hair was added, Al’s original plan to mimic a caddis emerger changed to a dry fly.
Since few anglers knew Al’s fly and its efficacy, the pattern initially maintained a low profile. The fly didn’t start drawing attention until Al started selling it at Bud Lilly’s Fly Store, a neighborhood fly store in West Yellowstone.
Indeed, it faced fierce competition, particularly for a dry fly in that region, but it quickly and successfully expanded to western waters. It wasn’t long before most crates contained Al’s Elk Hair Caddis.
It was initially intended to be fished as an emerging caddis, which may still be in situations with a lot of water, but when it is freshly prepared, it will ride high in the water film. Although the design can include stoneflies and other members of the caddis family, it would most likely depict an adult green caddis fly.
There aren’t many other patterns that work, not even a single dry fly with a long leader when fishing.
Today, the majority of fly fishermen will tie on the first elk hair caddis they spot and begin casting as soon as they spot one fluttering over the water. And there’s a good reason why, as we’ll discuss next.
What Makes the Elk Hair Caddis an Excellent Option For Trout Fishing?
The fly and the way it’s tied show the pattern is quite simple. Why is it so successful, then?
First of all, you need to realize that the fly’s buoyancy comes from the hollow nature of elk hair. The pattern seems so natural because it can remain on the water.
Furthermore, the remaining designs in the pattern are also outstanding. The palmer hackle is a wonderful trigger in faster water because it offers the pattern a high-riding spot within the water column.
The pattern looks “drowned” when the wing case becomes slightly wet, which is typically more effective on slower runs, particularly when the tail is out.
Other reasons for its effectiveness are as follows.
Effective for Dry Fly Fishing
Another excellent feature of the pattern is that the fly can be successfully fished as a dry dropper rig if it is tied correctly and has a bit more elk hair in the wing. A 2.5mm bead will fit perfectly in a size #16 dry. This is a pretty common fishing method.
The only problem with the fly is that those with poor eyesight will have trouble seeing it in dim light. However, tying a tiny sighter post into each of your dry flies will solve the issue. A hotspot orange, which shines in any dim light, usually does the trick.
Can Catch Several Other Fishes
If you know the back story, practically every pattern was connected to salmon or trout. Many different species are under consideration as the sport has evolved over the years. Technically, any fish may be caught on the elk hair fly. All you need to do is mimic what it consumes.
Nevertheless, the Elk hair caddis captures numerous species apart from trout, including:
- Saltwater mullet
- bluegill
- Juvenile largemouth bass (which, as we all know, are willing to consume everything).
Also, the pattern is really successful with smallmouth yellowfish. You can fish the pattern into the dark after tying it in size #14 or #12. Additionally, skating the fly on the surface can yield excellent results, particularly around dusk.
Final Words
The elk hair caddis is an extremely effective design that has secured a place in the top 10 classic dry fly patterns, regardless of your opinion of it (surely some fishermen will disagree).
Yet, it’s advisable to learn how to knot them and fish them so you can relish the satisfaction of catching fish on them. Luckily fishing!
