Fly Tying 24 May 2017 – The Simple Elk Hair Caddis

Notes from our instructor  (Lyall)

This month, we kicked off at 7:00 pm with a few basic techniques for beginning fly tiers then at 7:30 we began tying a simple Elk Hair Caddis.  No matter what style of fly fishing I am doing in Canberra or it’s surrounds, I always have an Elk Hair Caddis in my fly box.

Materials list:

Hook: size 10 , 2 x long, light weight hook (doesn’t have to be dry fly but must not be heavy)

Thread: tan 8/0 or 6/0

Body: polyester yarn (hard to find in fly shops). Substitute Sullivan’s Nylon Knitting Ribbon available at Lincraft sewing shops.  I paid $5 for ninety metres so have enough to tie 1,800 Caddis so everyone is welcome to a metre!!!

Hackle: palmered brown and/or black hackle (preferably cock hackle which will retain its structure rather than hen which will pulse while stripping)

Wing: elk body hair, natural brown colour

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *