I hope everyone is enjoying America's 240th birthday. Be safe and be happy.
I had a couple of free hours this day, albeit 5am to 8am, but the early bird gets the worm. I had just finished reading "Simple Flies" by Morgan Lyle. and a particular pattern hit me hard. The pattern was the CDC & Elk. This fly is the epitome of simplicity. I can't believe this is the first encounter with this fly. I tied up a couple of them a size 14 and a 16. Only 3 hours of fishing so these were the flies I would use. There were no hatches coming off other than some midges as well as a few sulphurs dying along the banks. I started fishin the CDC-Elk in some riffles that flowed into a nice pool. The fly's drift stopped and hung in the slack water briefly. The water exploded and fish on.
A few runs and a jump along with some head shakes and the beautiful rainbow was at hand.
The CDC&Elk size 14. Thread, CDC, and elk hair...now that's simplicity.
In the few hours I fished several nice rainbows were fooled by the fly.
I'm a believer.....going to tie up several more, different colors and some size 12's.
Very nice CDC helk....
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando it's a good fish taker.
Alan, I have never been much of a dry fly man, but I have never been on a trout stream without a sz.14 and sz 16 green and tan cdc elk hair caddis. The versatility of the fly is endless,it's a great dry fly,an emerger by adding weight and a great dry/dropper fly.i have dead drifted it ,I've also swing it, and skitter it across the top. If I had one dry fly to fish from April through October. This would be the fly. Tie some up and go have some fun, you will not regret it. By the way, great looking fly you tied their. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteBrad Basehore
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Brad I wish I knew of this pattern sooner. It a great floater, and the magical movement of the cdc you can't loose.
Hi Alan. that is a good fly the CDC and Elk. Regrettably, it's one I often space out in my box and forget to fish. For no good reason, it's a heck of a fly. Was it created by Hans Wiellenman? I learned of it through his site... But many of the fly's he shows are not his patterns specifically. If you liked it, another great one that is the ultimate in simple patterns, is the IOBO Humpy. Basically wrap 1 cdc feather from an eye behind the eye to the start of the curve, then pull the feather back over the body and tie it in so the "tuft" that's left pokes foward of the eye like a "shuttle cock" style midge. Floating it looks like any of a million emergers, but the cdc puff gives decent visibility... and if it gets wet, fish it like a nymph or swing it like a soft hackle... Awesome, and super simple one feather fly.
ReplyDeletehappy fourth!
Will
Hibernation
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Will I'm tying a few right now. If Jeanette OK's it I'll try them out tomorrow. That is one hell of a simple pattern. Thanks for telling me about it.
Deer hair or elk hair caddis is a great dry fly around these parts. Floats well in slow water or swift. If I only had one dry fly to fish, that would be the one. What great fun to see the trout take it in an aggressive way. They pound it if they are in the mood. Regards, Sam
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
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Sam I am familiar with both the elk and deer hair caddis, but the addition of the CDC makes a big difference.
Love the fly, love the CGR, love the trout. Thank you Sir!
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph you pretty much summed it up.
Are you familiar with the fly?
Absolutely. Great pattern. Is your version tied on and Orvis Tactical hook?
DeleteRalph, they are tied on Allen D102BL hooks.
DeleteHmmmm...will need to check them out. Thanks!
DeleteYou made good use of your limited window of opportunity. I was in that area too but a bit later so I missed you!! Water was cold and bugs were hatching!
ReplyDeleteTROUTI
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Pete the water was cold, although I did not take a temp. There were no hatches other than some midges. I got there early before the tubers-yakers hit the water
How did you fare?
Got a few on Soft Hackles.
DeleteThanks.
DeleteNice going making the most of the opening of the day! Happy independence day!
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark maybe if you only have a little time to fish you concentrate harder, and in turn you catch more fish?
Not too shabby for three hours.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz-Shoreman
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Mark it was very productive.
I think I need to purchase some CDC! Most every fly fisher knows about the Elk Hair Caddis. Until now, had not discovered this pattern. Love beautiful Rainbows and sweet shot of CGR...
ReplyDeleteGrandpa Mel
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Mel the cdc puts life into an already productive fly.
That CGR is very happy to have it's picture taken, and in all conditions.
My second favorite caddis pattern strikes again. CDC makes a lot of different, interesting flies.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard cdc is pretty cheap, but can be somewhat of a pain at times to work with. No doubt it works though.
The CDC&ELK, you tied looks great Alan, I'm going to add that to my fly box for sure. Thanks for sharing your fly tying knowledge, and day adventure. Happy fourth to you and Jay!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wirtes
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John, I can't wait to try it on a small stream.
Hope you and Bonnie are having a wonderful 4th.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful pictorial and a gorgeous looking pattern in the CDC & Elk. I can see how this fly would be such a killer as it looks like so many food forms available to trout! You sure did a great job in the limited time you had on stream! The rainbows are great and what powerful fighters and leapers they are!
Dougsden
Dougsden
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Doug it was a productive few hours. Now the next time may not be so good.
CDC like marabou have that life like movement that brings some violent strikes. The rainbow can be very formidable.
Going to the fly shop with your flies pictures in a little while! I'll have Rodney Flagg make me some!
ReplyDeleteBill/Tully
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Bill that's great. I'll have to visit that fly shop one day....address needed.
Alan
ReplyDeleteWas on the your blog this morning and read this post, stunning CDC pattern and even more stunning is the trout taken. Thanks for sharing
P.S. Still in the process of packing!!
Bill Trussell
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Bill funny thing, the cdc fly worked like a charm the other day and this morning it drew a big zero.
Packing can be quite a chore...hope yours is smooth.
That is a super buggy looking fly. I'm a CDC lover.
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank
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Kevin it's a great feather, and I should do more tying with it.