Not knowing really what i was buying, i recently brought some elk hair hock. This didnt look like what i expected (thick yellow hairs) but rather dense short ginger coloured hairs. I planned on tying some elk hair caddis patterns with them, however now im not so sure.

Is the hock bouyant? can it be used for the same patterns? Im thinking ill use it in some sedgehog type patterns.

Any help/advice on elk greatly received as i didnt realise that it was so varied!

It ought to all be buoyant enough. The only difference might be the texture.

I prefer using elk hock for tiny elk hair caddis, the problem is I can't see good enough any more to be tying those little size 18 or 20 dry flies. Other elk hair seems to do better for me when I move up to tying size 12 flies. I seldom tie anything smaller than a 14 anymore for the brim fishing I prefer to do now.

Big Dale

The elk hair hock is also good for tying Quigly nymphs and sparkle duns (emerger patterns).