The EHC Puff

I’ve decided that next season needs to be the season of the Caddis. An intriguing little bug, we have so many varieties that have unique traits, they truly blow the complexity of the mayfly out of the water and as such I need to spend more time learning about and exploring the Caddisfly this coming season. If you combine the fact that Caddisflies are [singlepic id=2062 w=320 h=240 float=right]a more prevalent and probably more important food source for trout with the fact that many anglers fish the classic Elk Hair Caddis pattern nearly year round hatch or no hatch from East to West and have great success is enough of a reason for me to focus on them this tying season.

Personally I like the X-Wing style pattern that leaves out the palmered dry fly hackle allowing the body of the fly to sit in the surface film. Here I’m tossing in an under-wing of a single and in some cases half a Natural Dun CDC Puff before adding the Deer/Elk Hair wing. I’m hoping it adds to the appeal of the fly as it drifts in the surface film, maybe trapping a few air bubbles. I’m also looking for good searching patterns. I plan to tie several searching Caddis patterns and force myself to fish them with confidence knowing that the trout are there and they will rise. I tied this first dozen on a #16 Mustad R30 and plan to do the same in a variety of body/wing colors in sizes #12, 14 and 18 as well.

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