The Elk Hair Caddis was created by Pennsylvania fly tyer Al Troth in 1957.

[2] The Elk Hair Caddis is considered a searching type pattern as it resembles the general form of adult caddisflies or small stoneflies.

[citation needed] John Gierach explains the materials he uses to create the original Elk Hair Caddis.

Then he uses a dubbed body, palmer hackle, elk hair wings, and a small head to close out the fly.

Steelhead are the anadromous form (sea-run) of rainbow trout which means some alterations to the standard Elk Hair Caddis are necessary.