Al Troth's classic elk hair caddis is one of the most effective adult caddis patterns ever tied. The palmered hackle and buoyant elk hair wing keep it riding high in fast water.
1. Thread base — Attach tan thread behind the eye and lay a base to the bend.
2. Rib — Tie in a length of fine gold wire at the bend.
3. Hackle prep — Tie in a brown hackle by the tip at the bend, shiny side rearward.
4. Body — Dub a full, slightly rough hare's ear body from the bend to 3/4 up the shank.
5. Palmer hackle — Wind the brown hackle forward in open, evenly spaced spirals over the body. Counter-wind the gold wire forward through the hackle to lock the stem. Tie off both and trim excess.
6. Wing — Stack a modest bunch of elk hair to align the tips. Tie in just behind the eye with firm wraps. Tips should extend one hook-shank length past the bend. Trim butts at an angle to form the head.
7. Finish — Whip finish over the trimmed butts and apply head cement.
Elk Hair Caddis in Minutes! - Rapid Wraps Series | Country Roads Fly Co.
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