CdC & Elk (variation) SBS

[ScottP]

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




tie in foam strip (gap width) at eye




wrap to bend, form a dubbing loop




grab tips of 3 CdC feathers; trim stems






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






spin loop

[ScottP]

Part 2

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






give the CdC a good comb-out






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




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






spread wing with thumbnail




pull foam back; tie down




tie in indicator; whip, SHHAN

[ScottP]

Part 3

trim overwing/indicator




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








Regards,
Scott

[johnstoeckel]

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.

[ScottP]

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