I never tied elk hair caddis because I figured them as a western fly and of no use in NJ. I took a fishing trip out west recently and had to tie a small airforce of EHC to take along. I got home with many left over so I gave them a try on the local farm ponds. WOW after 40 years of fishing sunnies I have never seen a fly as effective as the EHC… Live and learn…FB.
Hey Farmer Bob,
Frankly, I'd have never thought to tie
EHC’s for my warmwater fishery. But I do a
lot of swaps and a couple of years back I
got a few in a swap. One day I tied one on
for giggles just to see how they floated.
Darned gills pounced on it before it even
got good and wet. The trend continued and
I now keep a dozen or so in my box all the
time. I find them very effective on gills
and red eared sunfish.
Generally I'm finding over the years
that anything that’s a good coldwater trout
fly is also a good warmwater gill fly.G
I’m finding more simularities in their food
preferences than I am differences. Go
figure. Warm regards, Jim
The Elk Hair Caddis is my go to fly for almost any sunfish. Them fish love em.
I always chuckle when I hear folks say that a fly is for trout. It’s for FISH!
Humorous aside…I was talking to a guy I just met through a friend & he said, “Mike, I hear you flyfish. I thought about trying it, but I’m into the more sporting fish. You know, bass & pike…stuff like that.” I didn’t respond…I’d have laughed in his face!! Is he an “elitist”?
Mike
The Elk Hair Caddis is a great hopper imitation. It’s got the major elements of most other hopper flys (rigid wing/leg and bulk) and it’s easy and quick to tie.
Don’t be afraid to substitute deer hair if you don’t have elk. Also, I use yellow wool for dubbing and just pull the fibers out to make it buggier.
There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim
If’n you soak your EHC with “Watershed” a day or so b4 you use it it’ll float like a cork. Just a coupla false casts to dry the fly and you’re good to go. We have caddis hatching year around on our lakes so it’s a natural [pun intended!].
Donald
I’ve been using Hans Weilenmann’s Elk Hair and CDC caddis for the last couple of weeks. I was kinda hoping to keep it a secret. The Blue Gills seem to think it is candy!
Ed
Thanks everyone… I have been tying ehc with both elk and tan bucktail. I like working with bucktail its easier for me to tye. Keeping the fly boyant is a problem since so many small fish try to pull it under but cannot take the hook… FB.
Farmer Bob,
I’ve been using the EHC in #12, #14, and #16 on brim for several years now. I generally give the EHC a try when the brim are just swatting at my gurgle pops. Be sure to try both the light and dark version of the caddis because brim can be quite selective at times. If you would like another fly to try out on your local brim population, give the Griffin Gnat a chance in size #14 abd #16. Tight lines and tight loops. 8T
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
Bob,
If bouyancy becomes a problem, try substituting closed cell foam for the body of the fly. Just buy a color you like in the 2mm stuff they sell at Wally World. Cut a 1/8 to 3/16 inch strip, and wrap it on in place of the dubbing.
I’ve been doing this for several years, modifying the Troth stlye EHC with the addition of the foam body, and it works quite well. Nicely segmented bodies, floats, and is very durable.
One little ‘tip’, wrap the foam gently, pulling it too tightly compresses it and degrades it’s floatation.
Brookies and browns like these in the streams I fish in Colorado, and the 'gills down here in Arizona find them irresistable most days.
Good Luck!
Buddy
[url=HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML:18541]HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML[/url:18541]
After reading the post. I decide to give the EHC a try in my little pond. I tied up a size 10 basic EHC, ( I used deer hair since I don’t have elk), in natural color. Took it out and caught 1 small gill and 1 small bass in a little over an hour. Hmmmmm, went in and thought about it for a while. Tied a #10 EHC (DHC) in all black. (crickets any one?) took it out caught two small bass and 4 larger gills in 30 minutes. I think I just added a “go to” fly to my gill box.
Michael (Wooly) Woolum
State Certified Hunter Education Instructor
Hickory, MS
[This message has been edited by Wooly (edited 23 September 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Wooly (edited 23 September 2005).]