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How to Tie the Elk Hair Caddis Fly

Instructions for tying one of the most productive dry flys of all time.

Elk Hair Caddis

Elk Hair Caddis.

  • Hook: TMC 100SP-BL or 100
  • Thread: Tan 6/0
  • Rib: Fine Copper Wire
  • Body: Superfine Dubbing, color of choice
  • Hackle: Brown Rooster Neck hackle
  • Wing: Natural Bull Elk Hair

Elk Hair Caddis Step-by-Steps:

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 1 of 8

Start the thread about two eye lengths back from the eye and make a thread base back to the bend. Return the thread to the starting point and tie in a piece of fine copper wire. Wrap back over the wire to the bend.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 2 of 8

Dub a tapered body from the bend to the starting point.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 3 of 8

Tie in a rooster neck hackle feather by its butt at the front edge of the dubbed body.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 4 of 8

Spiral wrap the feather back over the body with six or seven turn to the bend.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 5 of 8

Catch the tip of the hackle feather with the wire and continue wrapping the wire forward through the hackle to the starting point. Trim the excess wire and the tip of the hackle feather.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 6 of 8

Cut, clean and stack a clump of elk hair. Measure it against the hook so it is a shank length long. Clip the butt ends where they line up with the hook eye.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 7 of 8

Lay the cut clump of hair on top of the hook with the butt ends just behind the eye. Make two tight turns of thread over the hair and cinch them down by pulling toward you with the thread.

Tying The Elk Hair Caddis Step 8 of 8

Build a small band of tight thread wraps to anchor the wing in place. Whip finish and clip the thread on top of the thread band.

Finished Elk Hair Caddis

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