CDC & Elk
The CDC & Elk fuses Elk Hair Caddis buoyancy with CDC's surface-film adhesion, producing a pattern more effective than either alone in slow currents. A few CDC fibers under the elk hair tent wing create shimmer and film adhesion that fish find irresistible, particularly in clear water where an elk-hair-only fly sits too high. Especially productive on chalk streams and spring creeks with selective surface feeders. Tie it sparse.
- Type
- dry fly (Caddis)
- Hook sizes
- #12–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Dry fly hook #12–18
- thread: Tan or olive 8/0
- body: Tan, olive, or amber thread or fine dubbing
- underbody: 1–2 CDC feathers, tied along hook shank
- wing: Natural or dyed elk hair, tent style over CDC
- hackle: Brown or tan cock, 2–3 turns (optional)
Tying steps
- Mount a size 12–18 hook; start tan or olive thread and wrap to bend.
- Wind a slim tan or olive thread or dubbing body from bend to the 2/3 mark.
- Tie in 2 CDC feathers along the body, curving slightly upward.
- Stack a bunch of elk or deer hair; measure tips to the hook bend.
- Tie in the elk hair over the CDC at the 2/3 mark as the outer tent wing.
- Trim the elk hair butts to form a neat head.
- Optionally wind 2 turns of brown hackle in front of the wing.
- Whip finish and cement.