Ted Koller at a local Stream

                                      

Elk Hair Caddis

The fly I chose to submit, is the Elk Hair Caddis which I was taught in Family Tyes’ Intermediate Class. This fly is very successful in the spring and early summer when caddis hatches are most prominent. This fly is intended to imitate the adult caddis fly on the water. Instructions to tie this fly are as follows:

MATERIALS

HOOK: Tiemco 100, sizes 12-18

THREAD: 6/0 to match elk hair color and dubbing.

BODY: synthetic or beaver dubbing {tan, olive or black. Black is rarely used here in PA.} elk hair to match body. {I have tan to be most successful} dry fly hackle.

RECIPE

1. Tie a thread base back to the bend of the hook. Optional {at this point you can tie in a small piece of Glo Bug Yarn to imitate an egg case to make the Hot Butt Caddis.}
2. Dub a short section of thread and tie a small ball of dubbing at the bend of the hook.   
3. Tie in a piece of dry fly hackle stem first.
4. Make another rope of dubbing on your thread. Dub about ¾ of the hook.
5. Palmer hackle over the dubbed body toward the eye of the hook.
6. Trim the top hackle fibers.
7. Trim some elk hair and place it a hair stacker.
8. Tie in and flare elk hair.
9. Lift ends of the elk hair; make a few half hitches just above the eye.    
10. Make a few wraps around the elk hair and trim excess in FRONT of the thread.
11. Half hitch or whip finish and trim thread. Make sure you pinch down the barb before you use the fly. ( Note: Do this first, breaking the hook tip after finishing the fly is no fun)

FISHING TECHNIQUE

When I see a caddis hatch, I turn to this fly first. I normally fish this fly by itself below riffles. Mend your line immediately after casting to avoid drag will insure a drift free float.  However, skating or skittering this fly across the water, to imitate egg laying is another variation and has proven to be very successful.  Fish will hit this fly very hard, so be ready. Wait a split second before setting the hook, so that you do not pull the fly out of the fish’s mouth.