J. Stockard Pro Tyer Luke Stacy puts a subtle spin on the classic Elk Hair Caddis by adding CDC to the thorax. The result is a soft, buggy silhouette that combines the proven profile of elk hair with the lifelike movement of CDC—creating a pattern trout can't resist during caddis hatches or as a general attractor.
Luke notes it's surprisingly easy to tie once you get the rhythm down, and it consistently produces even when fancier patterns fall flat. Fish it solo on a dead drift or rig it with a dropper—either way, it's a fly box staple worth mastering.
Read the full step-by-step tying instructions and materials list on our Flybrary.