CDC Midge Adult
When fish are sipping individual midge adults in the film, nothing beats a small CDC pattern. The CDC wing sits flush in the film and its natural oils keep it floating without any floatant. Fish it on 7X or 8X tippet with the lightest possible leader — even the slightest drag will cause refusals. A critical pattern for tailwaters like the Missouri and Bighorn in winter months.
- Type
- dry fly (Midge)
- Hook sizes
- #20–26
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Dry fly hook #20–26
- thread: Black or gray 12/0
- body: Black, red, or olive tying thread
- thorax: Peacock herl or black dubbing
- wing: CDC feather, small bunch
Tying steps
- Mount a size 20–26 dry fly hook; start 12/0 black or gray thread.
- Wind a smooth, slim body of black, red, or olive thread from bend to the 3/4 mark.
- Apply a tiny ball of black or peacock dubbing as the thorax.
- Tie in a small CDC feather by the stem; make 1 turn of CDC and tie off.
- Trim the CDC to form a small upright wing nub.
- Build a tiny head with 3 thread wraps, whip finish, and apply a needle-tip of UV resin.
- Do not apply floatant to the CDC wing; if it gets waterlogged, press it between amadou or gently blow-dry.
- Inspect the fly on the water surface — the body should sink slightly into the film while the CDC sits on top.
- Blow gently on the CDC wing to confirm fibers stand loose and separate — matted CDC will not float, so pick them open with a dubbing needle.