Elk Hair Caddis

[fflutterffly]

I sat at my vice for two hours trying to tie the simplest fly, the Elk Hair Caddis. None of them looked good. I know we Flymphers don't ride the tides of riffles or foam around rocks, but might there we a fly that can do the job in your arsenal of wets?

[narcodog]

Yup, Hans' cdc and elk

[chase creek]

I'll second that! Killer pattern.

[fflutterffly]

I'm going over to visit Hans right now. Hope he answers the door when I come a knocking. Love the site. Thanks boys!.................................
That is one great looking pattern. Now... head for the river.

[Old Hat]

I have one that I like. It was introduced on another site by a friend of the originator, so don't have a name at the moment. It is called simply, the animal.

Terje introduced it but it was a pattern of a fishing friend of his.

I don't often trim the top hackle, only the bottom. If I'm fishing real rough water, I won 't trim top or bottom.

Here is the pattern and step by step.
http://hatchesmagazine.com/blogs/Hatche ... e-refsahl/

The nice thing about the elk hair caddis is in the original design it was not meant to be only a dry fly. Fish it dry then give it a little tug at the end of the drift and it is a wonderful wet pattern. The CDC and elk is a wonderful fly for this as well ( sorry Hans ) I sink your pattern....often

Note: most people, including fly shops tie way too much hair on their elk hair caddis.

[willowhead]

In total agreememnet w/everything stated.....cept that part bout riffles and foam around rocks.........i love to fish riffles and rocks. But anyway, Hans CDC & Elk is MOST definately one of the best all-around flies ever invented. Works as a dry hatch specific, works great as a searching pattern, and yes Carl knows..........also works under water fantastically.