CdC & Elk (variation) SBS

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pswrnjgscm.jpg

My apologies to Hans but this floats better and I can see it when the light goes off the water; dubbing loop allows use of poorer quality CdC, of which I have a sizable quantity. Also works as a small hopper (legs optional) or a Spruce Moth.

hook -Dai Riki 305 #14
thread - UTC 140 tan
abdomen - CdC tan
wing - deer hair bleached
overwing/head - 1mm foam tan
indicator - 1mm foam orange

Part 1

mash barb, start thread at eye

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pscvkwhchk.jpg


tie in foam strip (gap width) at eye

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psopelsku4.jpg


wrap to bend, form a dubbing loop

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psbi9oly0o.jpg


grab tips of 3 CdC feathers; trim stems

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psyb1k2ggk.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psmrbxr20l.jpg


insert clip in the loop; pull thread tight, slide off the loop and release from the clip, capturing CdC (adjust butts, as needed)

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psterraw2h.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psumnpllkn.jpg


spin loop

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psmuyiozu4.jpg

Part 2

moisten fingers, stroke fibers back and wrap body up to foam

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psucscytui.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5hgtjl9c.jpg


give the CdC a good comb-out

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4bfawep5.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psnuaoqmt5.jpg


clean, stack, measure (tips to bend) a clump of deer hair; trim butts

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psnbwxodgu.jpg


tie in with 2 soft loops; pull tight and let it flair

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psu8ui5wno.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pskazfdfke.jpg


spread wing with thumbnail

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pshpckhqfz.jpg


pull foam back; tie down

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psol4w7ief.jpg


tie in indicator; whip, SHHAN

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psgmrzcb8g.jpg

Part 3

trim overwing/indicator

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...psock24mas.jpg


trim out some of the CdC underneath (more will probably be removed later, using the fingernail pinch method)

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pswrnjgscm.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pstla5gr0c.jpg

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/...pscx85vt8f.jpg


Regards,
Scott

I've found the original CdC and Elk to be very effective -- the dangling CdC fibers really seem to trigger strikes. But I've struggled with flotation and visibility at at times. Going to have to try the foam addition. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by johnstoeckel

I've found the original CdC and Elk to be very effective -- the dangling CdC fibers really seem to trigger strikes.

---

John,

Agreed; it's one of the most effective flies I've ever used and the trailing fibers really seem to draw the fish's attention. That's how I tie it in the standard form, wrapping the single feather and leaving it in it's natural state. When using multiple feathers in a dubbing loop, however, the fly takes on the appearance of a milkweed seed on steroids and mine often land on their sides or inverted; by trimming out the bottom a little bit, they usually land on the water in the proper orientation and still have plenty of trailing fibers to do their magic.

Regards,
Scott