Olive Elk Hair Caddis (Parachute Style)

The Olive Parachute Caddis is a high-visibility dry fly that sits flush in the surface film exactly as a natural caddis would. These two variations share an olive dubbed body and splayed hackle fibres, with the left fly featuring a softer tan parachute post and the right sporting a darker, more visible black-tipped post for low-light conditions. The Olive Elk Hair Caddis style is one of the most consistently productive dry flies across Canadian trout waters.

When to Use:

Best Time of Year: Late May through September, peaking during evening caddis hatches in June and July. The parachute style is especially effective during flat-light conditions and on slower, technical water where fish get a long look at your fly.

Imitates: Adult caddisflies at rest or egg-laying on the surface. The flush-floating profile and splayed hackle perfectly replicate a caddis with wings folded flat on the water.

Target Fish: Rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout across BC river systems including the Thompson, Similkameen, and Elk River. Brook trout and brown trout in Ontario spring creeks and tailwaters. Sea-run cutthroat in coastal BC estuaries during evening caddis activity.

Pro Tip: Dead drift it through feeding lanes during hatches, but don't be afraid to drag it slightly at the end of the drift to imitate an egg-laying caddis skating across the surface. Evening rises to caddis can be explosive and the parachute post makes this fly easy to track in low light.