Elk Hair Caddis

The Elk Hair Caddis was created by Pennsylvania angler and tyer Al Troth in 1957. Originally designed for fast-moving streams in the West, it quickly became one of the most iconic dry flies in the world. The fly imitates adult caddisflies and excels in broken water due to its high-floating elk hair wing and hackled body. Its durability and buoyancy make it a trusted pattern for rough currents, pocket water, and even as an attractor dry in terrestrial seasons. The pattern has been adapted worldwide with endless color, size, and material variations.

In pocket water, let the fly drag slightly behind the current. That subtle skitter can mimic egg-laying caddis and often draws aggressive surface strikes.