CDC Feathers

When tying with CDC, why is floatant bad? I see it as unneccesary, yes. But I've heard that it's bad to but the two together but never heard a reason why.

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If flyfishing were a sin, I'de be the devil's right hand man.

Silicone-based floatants mat the CDC fibers together. CDC's "fluffiness" is what traps air and floats the fly. (at least until a fish slimes it)

[This message has been edited by GrsdLnr (edited 15 May 2005).]

Try using Frogs Fanny, its powder will dry cdc and float even bead head nymphs.I am a devoted cdc user and swear by this stuff. you can also use Bohning Archery fletch dry powder it is used to waterproof arrow fletching, at about a 10th of the price(smile)

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Rick Schlarb

CDC is a material that works on flies very well but you have to understand that it is going to mat and get slimed fast. I use a piece of Amadu to get the water and slim of and out then use the FrogFanny to get it to stay up on top. Using both seems to do a better job than just the one will.

A hint for you is if the fish are taking a pattern with CDC put 3 of those fly patterns
on your vest patch. When one gets slimed and will not stay up well (Which will happen after a fish or two) then you can switch to another real fast and be back fishing again. By having three flies in your patch you will always have a dry one as it seem that number is about right to give the others time to dry. Ron

So Ron , You're saying that when the slime dries the CDC will float?...or are you saying use that stuff and let it dry?

What is Amadu?

I use the Amadu then the FrogsFanny then let that fly dry and use one of the other flies on my patch. Then do the same again. By the time you have gone through two other flies the first one seems to have dried enough to use again. You can usually get two or three fish on one fly and that is about it. Then you have to change flies. I just find it faster to have the other flies out and ready to go. Plus being out on your patch will help the wet fly dry much faster than if it were in your box. At least that is my experence with CDC. Ron

[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 15 May 2005).]

Ducksterman
Scroll down toward bottom of page for amadou
[url=http://www.feather-craft.com/2005MAster/fcpage.asp?page=25:40bd5]http://www.feather-craft.com/2005MAster/fcpage.asp?page=25[/url:40bd5]

Thanks guys, those are great tips. Now I have a second silly question on CDC oil. I tied a Biot Midge with turkey biots instead of goose that it calls for.
They are pretreated with CDC oil. Since they are so small and will no way help the fly to float, I used a dab of floatant on the hackle. I noticed no ill effects. Any comments?

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If flyfishing were a sin, I'de be the devil's right hand man.

It is just my opinion but I do not think the CDC oil works worth a hoot.( And yes I have used it) I think it is something to sell and people will buy. Sorry but I do not use it and do not feel I am missing a thing for not having it. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif Ron

Frogs Fanny is great stuff for CDC, although tucking your assembled rod with a CDC fly on the hook keeper under your windshield wiper for a quick 80mph jaunt to the next hole fluffs the stuff up very very well;-).......

I use Gink on cdc flies and it works well, the knack is to use it very sparingly, or it will matt the cdc together.

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Work is a means for people to afford their fishing.

RonMT,

If you're still looking at this thread, do you have an opinion on the cheaper amadou replacements -- such as the Samadou patch listed on the feather-craft web site?

Thanks

BigFlatBrook- I fished that stream back in the mid 60's http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif

I do not believe there is any good replacement for the real thing. I have tried some of them and they just do not do the job as well. I know that Amadu is not cheap but one piece will last you a long time if taken care of. I buy mine from Dan Bailey's as they are local and have a good supply of it in stock. It is $15.95 from Bailey's and if you do not fall in and get it all wet it should last several season's. Orvis use to have it but I do not know if they still carry it? Ron

Really? You're not from New Jersey are you?

The BFB is still not a bad place to fish. Obviously, it will never compare with the best -- but, after all, this is New Jersey.

There's a story as to why it's still around -- mainly because the Federal Government bought a lot of land in anticipation of building the Tock's Island Dam on the Delaware. Then the project was canceled because various people in the environmental movement demonstrated that the dam wasn't going to accomplish its goals. But the land purchase was ongoing by that time.

The result was the Delaware Water Gap National Park. It's located where Tock's Island would have been. A good portion of the BFB runs through the National Park, and much of the rest is now owned by the State of New Jersey. I think that happened in the 1970's.

All of that saved the BFB -- otherwise it would be developed by this time. We just lost one of our other top places -- the East Branch of the Paulinskill -- to a developer of homes and golf courses. Many broken hearts over that.

There's, of course, more to it -- but, not to bore everyone.

I will invest in an Amadou patch. I was glad to see your post because currently, I get one fish out of a CDC, and that's about it.

[This message has been edited by BigFlatBrook (edited 17 May 2005).]

No I am not from New Jersey I was stationed at Fort Monmouth after coming back from Nam. I fished a lot of that water back in those days. But I spent most of my time up on the Beaverkil and those streams back then.

Good to hear about them again. But the building thing is the same out here in Montana. There are lots of homes being built in the middle of no-wear. Like 50 miles from the closest town in the middle of a sage brush flat. I am telling the truth here to LOL. Seems to me people will buy anything if it has a "VIEW". Most of them do not live here in the winter time and that is good to or we would have a great expence just getting to them in the winter time. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif Dam shame how they are cutting up this country so bad. But I guess there isn't much anyone can do about it.
Glad I and the others were able to help a little on the CDC question's you had. Good fishing. Ron