How to tie: an Elk Hair Caddis

How to tie: an Elk Hair Caddis

Fly Tying

Oct 2

Written By Trent Jones

With : McFly Angler

A timeless dry fly that mimics adult caddisflies, perfect for almost any river with caddis activity.

Material List:

Hook: Size 14 barbless dry fly hook (Risen Fly 100s)
Thread: Veevus 10/0 green
Hackle: Size 16 rooster saddle hackle
Dubbing: Medium olive Antron dubbing
Wing: Bleached elk hair (or deer hair)
Resin/Cement: Solarez ultra-thin resin

Step 1: Hook and Thread

Hook: Secure a barbless size 14 dry fly hook in your vice.
Thread: Attach green Veevus 10/0 thread about an eye-length back from the hook eye. Trim off the excess thread.
Wraps: Wrap the thread down to just before the hook bend.

Step 2: Hackle

Hackle Selection: Choose a size 16 rooster saddle hackle (one size smaller than the hook size).
Preparation: Snip off the base of the feather and strip a few fibers to create a clean tie-in point.
Tie In: Attach the hackle, ensuring the fibers are angled rearward. Make "x" wraps to lock the feather in, then wrap over the stem for a secure hold.

Step 3: Dubbing

Dubbing: Use medium olive Antron dubbing for the body.
Dub the Thread: Create a thin dubbing noodle on your thread and wrap it along the shank, starting from behind the hackle and stopping one eye-length from the hook eye.

Step 4: Wrap the Hackle

Hackle Wraps: Wrap the hackle up through the dubbing, spacing out the wraps. Secure it with a thread wrap once you reach the thread, and trim off the excess.

Step 5: Prepare the Wing

Wing Material: Cut a small clump of bleached elk hair (or deer hair if preferred). Comb out the underfur and stack the tips in a hair stacker.
Wing Length: Measure the wing to extend about half a hook shank length past the body.

Step 6: Tie the Wing

Tie In: Transfer the wing to the hook, making two loose wraps to position it, then cinch down tightly to prevent spinning.
Secure the Wing: Make some wraps back on the wing and through the butt ends to lock it in place.
Angle Up: Pull the butt ends back and make a few wraps under them behind the hook eye to help angle the wing upwards.

Step 7: Finish the Fly

Whip Finish: Whip finish the fly behind the hook eye.
Trim: Gather the butt ends of the elk hair and trim them to create a squared-off head.
Head Cement: Apply ultra-thin resin to the top of the fly and the whip finish, ensuring not to get any in the hook eye. Cure the resin to help lay the wing down.