CDC wings - split or single post ?

[The_Sib]

I was planning to tie up some Isonychia or Ephemerella needhami Dun dries.

I am planning to use a mahogany biot with triple split micro-fibbet tails.
( I can clip the middle for Isos )

Does anyone have an opinion as to the effectiveness of forming the
dark dun CDC wings
as either a single post or split ?

 

[Rolemodel]

Sib,

Being that I'm a Match the Hatch type of Guy,I'd Tie Split Wings!Not saying that on his more effective than the other though!But my Conscience wouldn't allow me to Tie a Single Post Wing because of my mind saying "it wouldn't be a Mayfly if I didn't tie in 2 Wings!But that's just me.However,I know Guys who Tie Single Post Wings and do well.

 

[NJFred]

Sib... I would do some of both! My guess is that most of the time it won't matter but heck you never know.

 

[JeffK]

I'm lazy and go for the single wing. I think the wing looks like a blur to the fish (at least in the underwater photos I've seen) and comparaduns do well with tough fish without separate wings. However, what it looks like to you is probably just as important.

 

[theartoflee]

I was planning to tie up some Isonychia or Ephemerella needhami Dun dries.

I am planning to use a mahogany biot with triple split micro-fibbet tails.
( I can clip the middle for Isos )

Does anyone have an opinion as to the effectiveness of forming the
dark dun CDC wings
as either a single post or split ?

Th_Sib

in my opinon I would tie a compara style CDC fly in single post. If you think about it will the fish be able to tell that the wings are split as it inspects the fly floating over it? Chances are no if the fly is correctly tied and riding right side up. Split wing flys look great but arent worth the trouble if you ask me...

my 2 cents.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi,

Don't waste time splitting wings or tails!

Keep it simple.

Use crinkly zlon for a tail/shuck on all emergers, duns and spinners!!

This works very well and is much easier to tie.

There is also another reason not to use stiff (mirco fibbett, etc) tails: The stiff tails, especially on big flies, sometimes get hung up on the outside of a fishes mouth and you will miss the hookup.

CDC wings and a zlon tail/shuck will collapse and you will hook more fish.

The only downfall of CDC is that it requires more care and switching of flies to keep them floating. After 4 or 5 fish, you need to switch to a fresh fly and let the other one dry out.

You get as many or more strikes and more hook ups with these simple flies.

Jim

 

[Future Fanatic]

The only downfall of CDC is that it requires more care and switching of flies to keep them floating. After 4 or 5 fish, you need to switch to a fresh fly and let the other one dry out.

So I need to switch flies, every other trip or two to the Delaware?

 

[Big_Spinner]

No John,

I have seen you fish, you will need to switch flies at least once an hour!!!!!!

Jim

 

[AKSkim]

Hi,

Don't waste time splitting wings or tails!

Keep it simple.

Use crinkly zlon for a tail/shuck on all emergers, duns and spinners!!

Jim

Spit tails using microfibetts, moose, elk, or even the fibers from a fan blender paint brush look nice for show flies.

Flies for the purpose of catching fish, I tend to agree with Jim, zlon or even poly-X-wing material do very nicely.

 

[Scott]

Interesting subject. I've only used CDC with emerger patterns, and always a single post, no hackle. That's why I usually prefer to use CDC puffs, they're very easy to work with.

 

[AKSkim]

Re: CDC wings

Interesting subject. I've only used CDC with emerger patterns, ... I usually prefer to use CDC puffs,

A very simple pattern that a "former guide" for a fly shop close to KLG use to tie was very effective.

He would tie some very fine dubbing around a TMC 2487 hook, and a "puff" of CDC as a wing case. Simple pattern that CHRIS would out catch everyone within a miles distance.

I have tied a sample of that pattern in just about every coloured body, and when I really have to catch a fish late in the afternoon / early evening, I would tie this KLG emerger on and within minutes, have a trout on the end of my line.

 

[theartoflee]

Interesting subject. I've only used CDC with emerger patterns, and always a single post, no hackle. That's why I usually prefer to use CDC puffs, they're very easy to work with.

Scott

When using puffs how do you prepare the material? I usually use the larger feathers strip two or three and the roll the feathers together and tie them in.

By the term puffs you are referring to the smaller feather right?

Thanks

 

[Scott]

Scott

By the term puffs you are referring to the smaller feather right?

Thanks

No, I mean these:

I use CDC from the full feather too, but these are so simple to work with...

 

[theartoflee]

No, I mean these:

I use CDC from the full feather too, but these are so simple to work with...

Scott Puffs is a term I belive used to refer to a class of CDC feathers... a couple people sell puffs not just Umpqua. I take it you perfer the umpqua feathers?

Hans Weilenmann eplains it best "While CDC feathers are generally lumped together under the single umbrella called CDC, close examination shows distinct differences in their appearance, depending on where they are found in relation to the gland. Certain types of feathers are more suitable for specific purposes.



I am still at a loss as to what manner you use when tying with puffs. Is their a go to pattern you tie with puffs? I am imagining that you are tieing it in by the stem am I right?

Thanks

 

[AKSkim]

Re: CDC wings

A very simple pattern that a "former guide" for a fly shop close to KLG use to tie was very effective.

He would tie some very fine dubbing around a TMC 2487 hook, and a "puff" of CDC as a wing case. Simple pattern that CHRIS would out catch everyone within a miles distance.

I have tied a sample of that pattern in just about every coloured body, and when I really have to catch a fish late in the afternoon / early evening, I would tie this KLG emerger on and within minutes, have a trout on the end of my line.

Little dubbing on a hook and a CDC puff as the wing case. Tie it in at the base of the stem and you have yourself a nice wing case.

You can purchase puffs in many different colours from different companies.

 

[Scott]

Re: CDC wings

Little dubbing on a hook and a CDC puff as the wing case. Tie it in at the base of the stem and you have yourself a nice wing case.

You can purchase puffs in many different colours from different companies.

Yup, that's pretty much it. I use a caddis curved hook, a little mallard flank for a tail, wind the dubbing up, tie in the puff, add a little more dubbing & wind in front of the CDC wing, then whip finish a small head.

I've used antron for a tail before, but that stuff floats so the fly lies on it's side. You want the hook to hang below the film, and the CDC keeps it there.

I know there are other brands, the Metz is just the one I found a picture of to link to first. In fact, I don't even have any Metz stuff in my pile. I just checked and I have Waspi, Spirit River, Hareline, and few other bags of CDC.

The only colors I have are white & medium dun.

Like AK says, it's a simple but killer emerger pattern. I don't remember where I got the idea to try the pattern, it might have been FFM a few years back when I had a subscription.

Super simple and works great - which should always be the goal, right?

If you use the puffs you can crank out a dozen in about 30 minutes.

 

[theartoflee]

Re: CDC wings

Little dubbing on a hook and a CDC puff as the wing case. Tie it in at the base of the stem and you have yourself a nice wing case.

You can purchase puffs in many different colours from different companies.

AKSkim

Thanks with regards to CDC... I generally avoid dyed CDC from most companies. As dying CDC is detrimental to its natural fibers that help it float. The barbules will absorb the dye however you can find Natural CDC in colors.

Joey T. informed me of a company Trout Hunter that has the largest selection on natural colored CDC:

Brown
Tan
Dun
Dark Dun
Natural white

Gotta love CDC