Fly tying innovator and legend Al Troth passed on recently in Dillion, MT. If you’re a trout fisherman and don’t know the name, then you damn well should. Troth invented the Elk Hair Caddis. And if you don’t know that name, then you should get slapped.
Al was a teacher, business man, fishing guide, fly tier, photographer and military veteran. Originally from Pennsylvania, he and his family moved to Dillon in the early ‘70s. The Elk Hair Caddis had already been around for about 15 years by this point.
The Elk Hair Caddis has since become THE caddis fly most anglers reach for. Personally, I have almost an entire fly box dedicated to them. It is a standard by which flies are judged, and it has been modified, copied, or otherwise messed with more times than you can shake a stick at.
Fly fishing has lost a good one in Al Troth. Tie on an EHC next chance you get, and raise a glass in memory.
