Caddis Patterns: Deer Hair or Cow Elk Hair?

[Byron haugh]

I've been tying my caddis, over the years, with both......probably more with deer hair.

My most trusted (accessible) tier these days is Bucky McCormick of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone. So, I needed some things today and called their shop. Bucky answered the phone. Now Bucky ties around 900 dozen flies a year for their shop.

I asked him what his preference was in tying Caddis patterns. He said he really likes Cow Elk Hair. He was good enough to go over to their great hair bins and select several nice patches which I intend to use in the near future.

Let me know what your preference is.

[NJTroutbum]

Elk, hands down.

[Byron haugh]

Forgot to mention in the preface to my question that Hans Weilenmann has done a lot to popularize the caddis patterns with his CDC & Elk which is tied with deer hair.....just to give a great tier his kudos.

[Joe Billingsley]

Elk for me, too. In Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying, Charlie goes into detail about the different types of elk hair, their distinct characteristics and when he uses them. Very informative.

Joe

[Rick Z]

Mostly deer as I have much more of that than elk. If my memory is correct, Al Beatty uses deer most of the time.

Rick

[NJTroutbum]

Most of it for many years was regional. You live in the east coast...most of your patterns were deer hair. West coast...you had both readily available. Not so much any more though. I use deer a lot. But the stiffness and texture of hair I want for an EHC?....I don't think it is found on any deer during any season. Not to say you can't tie them with deer hair. Just my druthers.

[martinwestbeek]

One of my favorites is Early Season Cow Elk from Nature's Spirit. This hair is a bit stiffer than deer and other elk hair I used and does not flare too much under pressure. That also works well for wings and tails on Humpies and Wulff type flies

[Jeremy]

Since I do more smaller-sized flies, like #16 down to #20 my prefs tend towards deerhair. I bought a few good patches from Chris Helm some years back and like them a lot.

Maybe it's time to try some Elk as I have a large swatch given to me some years back from a friend from the old VFS forum. Great stuff and it gets used but I use mostly deer hair in smaller flies.

A couple of you boys regularly post some really fine ties and I will say, it's stimulating for me -one who has trouble sitting still at the vise for very long! It's appreciated.

Jeremy.

[narcodog]

Han's deer and CDC is one of my go to flies and I tye many in different colors because of that I use deer. I do like the fineness of deer hair. I have never given a thought about stiffness though something I may consider in the future.

[ducksterman]

Good thread, Bryon.