Fly Tying a #20 Elk Hair Caddis (Tips for Tying Small Flies)

Tying any tiny flies (#20 and smaller) has its challenges. Here are some tips for tying any fly down to these small sizes.
Hook: #12-22 dry fly
Thread: Tan or light brown
Body: Dry fly dubbing, color to match your insects
Hackle: Dry fly, palmered
Wing: Elk hair tips
** Some of the popular books used on this channel: **
Dave Hughes, "Essential Trout Flies," 2017, amzn.to/3lbCZYX
Dave Hughes, "Wet Flies," 2015, amzn.to/33ac3lQ
John Shewey, "Classic Steelhead Flies," 2015, amzn.to/2RywHcP
David Klausmeyer's "Favorite Flies," 2020, amzn.to/3oeSNMa
Morgan Lyle's "Simple Flies," 2015, amzn.to/3qB1zW1
Fly Pattern Encyclopedia: amzn.to/34U0rUe
Mike Valla's "Tying the Founding Flies," 2015, amzn.to/354oSir
Mike Valla's "Classic Streamer Fly Box," 2020, amzn.to/3n3Vakf
Randle Scott Stetzer's "Flies, the Best One Thousand," 1992, amzn.to/34Q15mp
Terry Hellekson's "Popular Fly Patterns," 1976, amzn.to/2L4IyvS
Dick Stewart's, "Flies for Bass and Panfish," 1992, amzn.to/3aGpFs1
Fly Pattern Encyclopedia: amzn.to/34U0rUe
Savage Flies is a project with the mission of encouraging and teaching fly tying to as many people as possible. The channel is named after one of my western Maryland homewaters, the Savage River. I've been uploading three new tying videos a week, with the occasional extra video on other days.
Thanks for stopping by. Please let me know in the comments if you have any tying tips you would like to share or if you have any patterns you would like to see tied here.

[@leemowers9395]

very nice job on the #20, great tips. thanks Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Lee. Have a great weekend my friend! :-)

[@bigdaddy99929]

Very cool demo. I’ve tied down to 16 and found that challenging. 😜. Thx Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Give it a go Clyde! But honestly, it's not that often when a fish that would take an 18 wouldn't also take a 16. One size up or down and we can probably still fool a few of them. :-)

[@michaelpeterson6413]

Great tie Matt. I would definitely agree thread size is key and use half the material you think you need.

[@SavageFlies]

Yep, great advice Michael. And I tell myself this all the time... use less material! And I still end up using too much sometimes. Have a great 4th my friend. :-)

[@mikeney5113]

Nicely done matt.looks great.thanks for the information

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mike!

[@chrisingram9798]

I find myself tying the flies in sizes I’ll use in the quantities I want and then I’ll start tying 22-26 for some fun and aggravation. Thanks Matt

[@SavageFlies]

I think the only thing I could tie in a 26 might be a zebra midge. :-)

[@bobhammond8067]

And....my favorite, dropping the fly just ad you have the eye clear!!!

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! I've definitely done that too Bob. Now I've sat and watched a parachute Adams float out of reach downstream, waiting for a fish to come up and eat it. That last part has never happened to me, but it would be interesting. :-)

[@cheflexx778]

Thanks for the shout out Matt. I will definitely be applying these techniques. I appreciate you taking the time. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Alex! Getting someone like you into and excited about tying could pay off big time with all the new folks you could get into the sport. :-) Have a great weekend my friend!

[@bobhammond8067]

Great tie and reminders/tips. The eye of the hook being blocked or messed up is, as you said, no fun on the rivet!!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Bob! And also, nothing more frustrating than spending ten minutes, knee deep in cold water, with my magnifying lenses, putting on some 7x tippet so I can try a #20... and then launching it in the tree on the first cast. Yep, I've done that more than once. :-)

[@brianfeeney9493]

Nice Tip - Section Matt ✨🎣✨

[@FlyTyer1948]

Beautiful example of tying an Elk Hair Caddis. If you are a new tyer, please note what Matt says about starting with larger sizes. It’s really important & will make your flies better & easier to tie. Re: Hackle - While it’s not preferred, you can get away with trimming hackle to the size of at or just beyond the hook gap if you don’t have feathers the correct size for small flies.

[@SavageFlies]

Great point Bob. I've tied plenty of flies where I ended up trimming a palmered hackle. I've even found myself doing it streamside to turn a high floater into a semi-dry fly that will sit a little lower in the surface film.

[@huntingmissouri5420]

Good tie! One thing is you got to take your time tying small flys and if you mess up go back and fix it, you will get faster in time! HAPPY 4th to everyone!!

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely right Franky. When I sit down to tie a new pattern, the first one takes the longest (and looks the worst). The second one is a little quicker, and looks a little better. By the 12th one, I usually know what I'm doing. :-)

[@aldunn5195]

Great advice Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Al. Have a great weekend my friend!

[@gdreilly]

Nicely done Matt!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it George. Have a great weekend my friend!

[@michaelmerlino6753]

Nice tie ,Matt.Way back when,when it came to dubbing small it was called “getting your thread dirty” because of the small amount used.

[@SavageFlies]

I've never heard that term Michael, but I like it. I've heard it called "touch dubbing" or just putting enough on to barely change the color of your thread.

[@michaelmerlino6753]

@@SavageFlies touch dubbing usually is used to make a body that isn’t tight.I have used that on classic english spiders so the thread influences the body color.That’s one of the best things about “super fine dubbing”,you can get such a small amount on the thread and if it’s the same color as the thread it only looks like the thread just goes up a guage or two.Great stuff!

[@slickydicky]

I have to admit I have size 18 dry fly hooks, but I've always been a bit afraid to try them. You definitely shared some great tips, as you always do, that will definitely help me give them a go. And I like the way you tie your wings on this one, I feel tying them this way makes them balance a little better on the water.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks David! It definitely takes some practice. I recently found an old fly box of mine from a few years ago and it had some of my #20 elk hair caddis in it, and they were pretty sad looking. :-)

[@TheHillcityhobo]

Great job Matt. I may give smaller sizes a try now. Thanks for sharing.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Jeremy! Definitely give it a go. Happy 4th my friend. :-)

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

Thank you for your recommendations on tying in reverse order. I’m a little intimidated by the smaller sizes, but gonna give it a go. Thank you Sir Matt.

[@crowdaddy8355]

Thanks Matt. I really need to improve my hair tying skills. Have a nice weekend.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Chad. And happy 4th to you!

[@robertshelton3787]

Matt, Thanks for another great video. I started tying and fly fishing this year and your instruction has led to hours of enjoyment both on and off the water for me. I am located in northern Virginia and have fished the gunpowder several times this year so I especially find your videos helpful since we fish the same water. I hope to bump into you on the river one day!

[@SavageFlies]

Robert, that would be great to meet someone on the river who knows me from the channel! It's never happened yet, but maybe someday. If you ever see a white F150 with Maryland plates that say "TROUT" then that's me. Thanks for the kind words and have a great 4th my friend. :-)

[@davehall2160]

Good looking fly Matt Looks like a good challenge Thanks for the video

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Dave! And yes, tiny flies do add a level of challenge to it. :-)

[@brianfeeney9493]

Nice 👍🏻 New “ LOGO - CLIP “ MATT 🎉

[@SavageFlies]

Hey, thanks for noticing! I've still got to figure out the best background. I think the green is too bright so I tried a brown one recently. But this fly wouldn't have stood out enough on a brown background, so back to the green. I'll get it right someday. :-)

[@peteyarrington582]

Beautifully tied! And really valuable advice. Agree - instead of going straight to the 20s or smaller, tie a few 12s or 14s in the pattern you want, then some 16s or 18s, THEN try the 20s. Things go so much better!! Thanx Matt!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Pete! I imagine being an east coast fisherman that you've tied some pretty small flies in your day too. Have a great 4th my friend!

[@jimholland1592]

Hey Matt, the Elk/Deer hair Caddis is one of my favorites especially the small sizes👍

[@SavageFlies]

Oh yes, I didn't mention that I tie the same thing with deer hair (but still call it an Elk Hair Caddis!) It's just that I have deer hair in many colors, and I pretty much just get elk hair in natural or bleached.

[@jimholland1592]

@@SavageFlies I am going to do some GFA Hoppers and use an Elk hair wing. Getting ready for late August 👍

[@markchristensen3371]

Fun tie Matt. One more suggestion for tying small. Buy a pair of magnifying glasses. My wife bought me a pair of 6x glasses for Christmas and it's really improved my tying.

[@laytonmarvin3790]

Great advice Matt. When I began tying 18's or smaller, I had trouble with material management because my fingers would get in the way. So now I shy away from tying those tiny hook and just buy those patterns, lol. Thanks for sharing and have a safe 4th.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Layton and you too my friend! I imagine there will come a time when I give up on the really small ones and just buy them. I'm just not there yet. :-) And funny, but the hardest part for me is not actually tying down this small, but actually standing in the river and trying to put one on some 7x tippet!

[@laytonmarvin3790]

@@SavageFlies me as well. 20's are the smallest I can see even with my glasses, lol

[@johnnylightning1491]

Living in Michigan you'd think I do a lot of trout fishing, I don't. I'm in mid Michigan and most of the trout are further north so I don't have a lot of trout fishing experience. I need to tie some of these anyway since I've got a place to tie now. Keep the good stuff coming Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Yes, you should absolutely get into the trout game! Nothing like some big warmwater game fish, but trout just live in the prettiest places on earth. That's why a day on a trout stream, whether we catch anything or not can be so enjoyable. :-)

[@toddslichter7831]

Great tie Matt. Thanks for the tutorial. I tie RS2s down to size 26, but those are mostly thread bodies...I only tie elk hair caddis to size 16...I will have to tie some 20s. You have inspired me. 😎 Happy 4th!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Todd! Anytime I can inspire someone to try something new, I'm pretty happy. I appreciate you watching my friend. Have a great 4th too!

[@Jd-yc3gw]

I’ve deliberately stayed away from those real small ones. My limit has been size 16 but I might have to pick up a pack of 20’s just to try. There’s a creek close to our hunting cabin that I just found out has been stocked with Brook Trout. Maybe that will have to be the testing ground. Happy Independence Day Matt. Enjoy your holiday.

[@SavageFlies]

Oh man, stocked brook trout could be a blast! I would imagine these guys are in the 9+ inch range, and that would be some amazing fishing. Definitely give these small guys a shot John. But honestly, I've never been on good brook trout water where they wouldn't smash a size 12 Royal Wulff or some other big flashy dry fly. These guys are voracious eaters! Have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@harryjoesather6539]

thanks for the info matt ....going from big to small flies when tying ...i will try that...really need to get back at the vise been months i been away from it .. and as always i will be watching ...see ya joe

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Joe! And dont worry... you won't lose your magic touch with just a couple months off. 😁

[@bryanandryszak925]

Great tutorial and advice, Matt! I’m new to tying and subscribe/like your channel because it’s straight forward, very understandable, expertly videoed, and most of all HELPFUL. Thanks!

[@SavageFlies]

Well thank you Bryan! I appreciate the kind words my friend. And welcome to the community! I think you're going to like it here. :-)

[@jeffreystone7327]

Great advice for watching this video Matt. Thank you. Dude this was insane. I can’t believe that tiny hook. BEAUTIFUL FLY. You’re the man. I can’t even imagine trying that. For me, does the Elk Hair Caddis come in a 4/0?😂 This is the smallest tying example I’ve ever watched. Great video.

[@mikelundrigan2285]

Great tips!

[@seanbeck1370]

Great EHC!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Sean. Appreciate you watching. Have a great weekend my friend!

[@jack_batterson]

I substitute Antron or McFlylon for the Elk hair when I get down to #20 or 22. I think it gives a better profile. But nice job on this one! Props!

[@martyrothman3933]

Looks great thank you

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Marty!

[@kenb4685]

Looks more than ok to me Matt.

[@joeduca8582]

Great tutorial Matt. It may screw up proportions but I tied small bugs like nymphs and wets on a size larger hook when I first started tying, better hook up. I've tied lots of dry flies when I got the proper hooks, size 12 and 14, but not too many Caddis. In fact most of my "dry" fly fishing is with snowshoe emergers or Usuals. Question: what brand hook was that, it looked a little longer than standard in the shank, unless it was an illusion from the straight eye? Do you use floatant? I've used green label Mucilin as a dubbing wax, seems to help. Thanks

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Joe! Great idea with upsizing the hook, or downsizing the material you put on it. I'll bet that could definitely make a difference. For this hook, I didn't have any of my standard barbless dry hooks in size 20 (Daiichi 1190) so I had to reach way back in my drawer for this one. I believe this was a Saber 7013. The package does call it standard length so I would say it just looks a tad longer with the straight eye. For floatant, yes I use it all the time. Pretty much any dry fly with hackle I'll put a big drop of Gink on. I've never heard of green label Mucilin. Is that something with another purpose that you just use for dubbing wax? I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the note and have a great 4th my friend!

[@joeduca8582]

@@SavageFlies Green label has silicone, there's a red label Mucilin too, don't know much about it. It's both a line dressing and floatant. I read a tip saying to put a little on your fingers when dubbing thread, helps slippery stuff stick and helps to float too. I use some paste stuff in a little tub, think Whitlock has his name on it. Thanks, gonna look at Saber hooks, happy 4th!

[@evilmothericebearkillerbir6016]

ya i TRYD doing 20 22 s thought i was going blind it takes time and nerves

[@brianfeeney9493]

Hey MATT ...... let me know how I can securely send you my address ...... look forward to fishing 🎣 Your Steelie Patterns here in NW Michigan !!!!! Nice 👍🏻 Caddis Brother 🤩

[@SavageFlies]

Excellent Brian! Just drop me a note at [e-mail]. When do you usually start your steelhead fishing? Are we talking fall or winter? I can't imagine wading a Michigan river in January. :-)

[@brianfeeney9493]

We begin in the Autumn Matt, once the Salmon start their runs. Then Winter settles in .... and it is BEAUTIFUL ❄️ 🥶 No crowds, No Bugs, and Fresh-Fighting Steelhead ✨🎣💫 Hands are the issue ...... I’ve gone to electronic handwarmers, vs the chemical Hot - Hands .... which waterlog -out and are useless. It is exhilarating and cold, but Enjoyable !!! Line guides freezing is another issue, that we do NOT contend with while Summer Fishing 🎣 for Brown Trout !!!! 🙃 I’ll drop you an email soon .... Happy Independence Day Weekend Matt !!! ❤️🇺🇸👍🏻

[@kalikasurf]

Tip #1 for small flies: buy them!! Your wife will appreciate not having holes in the wall and the vulgarity!! It’s strange, starting with 20’s, 22’s It seemed like the thread management and dubbing was a piece of cake once I moved to the larger hooks!! And I’ve found my lighter and bodkin burns all the junk in the eye if I’m extra sloppy!

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! Thanks Eddie. A few years ago I did buy some 20s and 22s, just to inspect them and see how they were tied. I don't think it really helped me learn, but I did end up fishing with them. :-) Have a great 4th my friend!

[@ThatSB]

I mean... im not sure how hackle matters that much on an elk hair caddis lol. Probably least of all