High Quality CDC

I have recently acquired some high quality Cul de Canard from Romania - superb plumes with beautiful full and mobile barbs. With such a high quality product, it seemed a good idea to go back to basics and apply it to the CDC Loop emerger. These two versions hopefully epitomise the simplicity of the pattern - just thread, hare dubbing and CDC make up these two examples. I plan to have this CDC with me at the Swedish fly fair where I'll be suggesting some neat, simple ways to use this material to its full.



Hook: Varivas 2200BL-B #16
Thread: Hends Grall, tan
Abdomen: Hare, light natural
Thorax: Hare, dark natural
Wing: CDC, tobacco



Hook: Varivas 2200BL-B #16
Thread: Hends Grall, tan
Abdomen: Hare, light natural
Thorax: Hare, dark natural
Wing: CDC, grey- blue smoked

~Dave

Bugs of the Underworld

I have just been sent a copy of Ralph & Lisa Cutter's DVD 'Bugs of the Underworld'. It covers all the main groups of flies that we fly tiers are concerned about: Diptera, Trichoptera, Ephemerella, Plecoptera and Odonata (Zygoptera). The footage is simply superb and gives a real insight into, not only the lifecycle of these insects, but also their behaviour.

There is a link on youtube to give you a taster (although it's not my upload):


The more you can learn and experience of entomology (without a specific degree in it!), the more informed your fly tying can be. I am not suggesting that you have to know the classification names for each family or genus, but understanding the food of the fish you are trying to catch, realising how they behave under certain conditions and what this must look like from persepctive of the fish sould certainly further your success - both at the vice and the river.

The DVD has me asking some questions and confirming some answers. Simple, suggestive tying is definitely the key; but it has me pondering about colour of dry flies, translucency of shucks and the bouyancy of nymphs. Food for thought.

~Dave

The Swedish Fly Fair is fast approaching and I have just taken delivery of some superb CDC feathers which I'll be using at the fair. I'll tie some examples soon and show some photos.

~Dave

A beauty from the Wylye being released:



... and gone!



~Dave

I was making my way through some photos when I came across some from a trip to the Dorset coast a few years back. Enjoying a pint in the pub, we noticed white-bait being chased into the shingle beach - a sure sign of mackerel shoals. A quick run back to pick up a rod, and the excitement commenced, searching for the fish.





Not long before they showed themselves again, a quick cast through the gusting head wind, followed by some fast retrieving, it was not long before I hooked a fish. They may be small, numerous and easy to catch, but on light tackle they can provide some great sport. This could be the best way to get someone into fly fishing.





What's more, it gave a few fish for the barbeque - and they don't get fresher than that!

~Dave

I am steadily putting the display flies together for the Swedish fly Fair. I plan to a have a display of some smaller flies:



Hook: Varivas 2300 Ultra Midge #28
Thread: Synton, brown
Dubbing: Orvis Spectrablend, ginger
Wing: CDC, Natural

~Dave

S-Loop or not?

The S-Loop nymph has become a significant part of my nymph box. I believe the 'wing' perhaps represents legs / a splitting shuck / opening wings... Whichever, it is an effective little pattern - and the loop certainly helps to hold bubble of air which makes it very attractive when wet. Perhaps it even changes the way the pattern swims. It works well as an ascending nymph - fished with an induced lift. However, I carry them with and without the additional wing.

So here are are some examples, all tied on #20 hooks - with and without the loop:









Hook: Varivas 2120WB #20
Ballast: Tungsten bead, orange 1.5mm
Thread: Hends Grall, mustard
Tail: Mallard
Wing: Mallard
Dubbing: Squirrel

~Dave

Dry Fly Boxes

My stocks for the start of the season are getting there, amongst a few examples for the clips at the Swedish Fly Fair ~ not long now.



A few 'biggies' for New Zealand style as an alternative to the Hi-Vis Caddis:



...and a few CDC duns & emergers:



~Dave

A couple of good articles written by Paul Procter can be found on the Fly Fishing Point Website:

Winter Midge Fishing

When Less Becomes More

Take a look around the site. I think it's one of the best about.

~Dave

High-Vis Caddis - New Zealand style / duo / trio

The High Viz Caddis is a new addition to the River Fly Box.

This pattern is very much based on Roman Moser's Balloon Caddis, and it is part of the fly box as a high-riding dry fly for fishing New Zealand style / duo. As it the balloon caddis wasn't obvious enough with its yellow, foam head, this incorporataes a a pink yarn sighter.





I am using elk for the wing, but deer hair is equally useful; There are full tying instructions here: High Vis Caddis.

~Dave