CdC & Elk (variation) SBS

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

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

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

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.

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