Elk Hair Caddis - Royal Coachmen

A Classic Attractor Pattern with Unmistakable Style

The Elk Hair Caddis - Royal Coachman combines the proven high-floating design of the Elk Hair Caddis with the bold, eye-catching colors of the Royal Coachman — one of the most iconic attractor patterns in fly fishing history. The peacock herl body, red floss band, and white elk hair wing create a fly that doesn't imitate any single insect but triggers strikes from aggressive trout across a wide range of conditions. When fish are looking up and you want a fly they can't ignore, this is it.

Highly visible on the water and buoyant through riffles and pocket water, the Royal Coachman EHC is a go-to searching pattern on the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Colorado River — especially effective during low-light conditions and on stretches where attractor patterns consistently outperform imitative flies.

Pattern Details

• Style: Elk hair caddis attractor dry fly
• Color: Royal Coachman — peacock herl body, red floss band, white elk hair wing
• Sizes available: #14, #16, #18
• Wing: White elk hair — high-visibility, tent-wing profile
• Hackle: Palmered — high-floating, durable
• Classic attractor pattern — effective when no specific hatch is present
• Excellent visibility for the angler in broken water and low light

How to Fish It

Dead-drift through seams, riffles, and pocket water as a searching pattern. Fish the #10 in fast, broken water where a larger profile gets noticed; drop to the #16 or #18 when fish are more selective or water is lower and clearer. Works well as the dry in a dry-dropper rig — its white wing makes it easy to track even in choppy water. A reliable choice any time trout are looking up but not locked onto a specific hatch.

Available in store at Glenwood Springs Outdoors, 831 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO.