Cdc colours

[roll cast]

What are the best/ most used colours of cdc in flies as I'm going to order some.

I've heard that some colours do take dye well/dont float?

[falsecast]

The three best colours, in no order of preference are natural, natural and natural

[roll cast]

You can 3 natural colours cream , khaki and grey which one?

[spidersplus]

Roll cast,

Always go for the best CDC you can afford - the best quality plumes are dyed superbly well in cold baths so not to damage the feather structure - so they will still float very well.

There really is very little difference between undyed and dyed CDC nowadays, so long as the "raw material" is top quality to start with.

The "Swiss CDC" from Switzerland is very good indeed.

If you instst on natural (undyed), then the difference in colour is purely for visability - I personally like the khaki campbell which is a light creamy brown - easy to spot at a distance.

Kind regards

[jindra]

Natural CDC floats the best, period. The dying techniques have improved in recent years, but the feathers still need to be degreased in order to be dyed and thus lose flotation to some extent.

My recommendation would be to befriend a waterfowl hunter and pluck your own - that way you are assured to have the full size range, from small puffs for tiny flies to large feathers for spinning in a loop.

[dabhoy]

I know its slightly off topic but I am led to believe that it is the cdc structure rather than the oils that makes it float but someone I know disagrees with me can anyone clarify.

[bigtroot]

I recently got some CDC from Mike Barrio , great stuff at a great price and available in a good selection of colours

Barrio CDC Feathers

[maharg]

Originally Posted by dabhoy

I know its slightly off topic but I am led to believe that it is the cdc structure rather than the oils that makes it float but someone I know disagrees with me can anyone clarify.

I think it is a combination of both, but as you say biased towards the structure capturing tiny air bubbles.

[Scratch]

It is the structure that provides the buoyancy. How else does the dyed stuff manage to float As Phil said, if the integrity of the feather is not compromised in the dying process, then all is well. Sure, oil may help it along a little... as it does with pratically anything.

[REIDY10_0]

Best quality CDC i have ever seen was from Lucian then Veniards.
You can buy CDC oil for re proofing flies.

Best bet buy natural colours to start with and then gather the rest over time.

Munro