FLYMPH FORUM

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?

Yup, Hans' cdc and elk

I'll second that! Killer pattern.

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.

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.

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.