I only own a few and am not really sure if they need different attention than a “regular” dry. My biggest concern centers around fly dressings or floatant. Does CDC need it, or is it even recommended to be used with any type of floatant. I don’t want to put anything on it that’s gonna ruin it. It looks awfully fluffy and that’s why ask. It just doesn’t look like it’ll take gink real well.
CDC gets it floatation properties from its many small barbules that trap air. If you place floatant on the CDC it destroys those properties -or so I have read.
Tim
You can use Frog Fanny (fumed silica) on CDC. It works, I’ve done it with no determental effects. Best results are to pinch the fly between thumb and forefinger and brush the Frog Fanny on just the CDC feather. Try it, I think you’ll like the results. If you treat the CDC before it gets wet you’ll be better off.
http://www.danica.com/flytier/articles/ … _types.htm
Very informative article. I concur with the use of Frog’s Fanny on CDC flies
Thanks for the link Fritz.
I actually just happen to have some frogs fanny. I never even thought about using that on the CDC. I’ll have to give it a shot.
Thanks 
it floats perfectly fine alone, and the only floatant to use is frogs fanny.
I agree…it doesn’t need floatant and I do not apply floatant specifically to cdc. However, there are flies that I fish that have cdc underwings and the overwing requires floatant. So in the process of the floatant soaking throught the overwing, the underwing of cdc also gets floatant on it. Contrary to the rumors that cdc is ruined once it has been soaked in floatant, it is not ruined. CDC is also located around the preening oil gland of a duck, so it is permeated with natural water proofing oils that help the material to shed water. I think that it also sheds most fly floatants to be honest with you. I usually use loon’s “Aquel” natural floatant so that might come into play as well. But my point is, I tie and fish many many cdc bearing flies that have never been ruined by floatant before. It is only a matter of time before that floatant rinses off anyhow. Hope that helps.
"CDC is also located around the preening oil gland of a duck, so it is permeated with natural water proofing oils that help the material to shed water. "
I was under the impression that unless you are using unprocessed feathers that the processing especially if dyed removes the natural oils???
ducksterman- it’s not the oils in CDC feathers that give them their great qualities, it’s the microstructure of the fibers. Standard floatants mat those down, while powders don’t. See panman’s earlier post. He’s right on.
Chuck
So is there a reason to opt for a CDC fly over a “regular” tied fly? Is it just a matter of looking different or does it actually present a better, more natural looking fly?
I’m thinking that it would be best used on emerger patterns. It seems to me that the CDC would allow the fly to sit a little more in the film since there is no floatant used, making it look a bit more like a real bug coming out. Am I off on this?
A CDC fly is easy to tie and floats extremely well. It is just tough and simple basically, plus they look good, last well and catch fish! Not sure that it is “better” per se than a well tied dry hackle fly, just simpler.
if you want to read a book about the use of CDC above and beyond the call of duty, get a copy of “Tying Flies with CDC” by Leon Links. Great book with fantastic illustrations that brings the material into a whole new level.