cdc paraloop dun

[bill1]

I've been struggling with the same problem as Maharg - a small cdc dry that will stay dry longer. I've tied the cdc paraloop style and dubbed the thorax with Hares Ear with the idea of using floatant on it.



Hook: Varivas 2100 size 18
Tail: Grizzle cock.
Thread: white 14/0
Body: white thread
Rib: Primrose tying thread
Dubbing: Hares ear pale.
Hackle: 1 natural cdc feather tied paraloop

[wobbly face]

Looking very nice Bill, well done.
Try CDC for the body.
Honestly though, I'm not that struck by the stuff, needs loads of it to float a fly and looks very bulky but I'm still giving it trials yet. Done a few sedge type patterns.

[bill1]

Thanks for the comment, Ged.

I've tried cdc for the body. I don't like dubbing the stuff, it's very uneven but using a whole feather twisted works quite well. If wound over thread in open spiral, you can get quite a good segmented effect at least in smaller sizes. The trouble is once it gets wet. I prefer moles fur with watershed.

[wobbly face]

Great stuff to use mole's fur. Have used it for years. Did some sedge types with twisted whole CDC feather for the bodies then did bubble (loop) type wing from 2 cdc feathers. Left some fibers and made them to act as legs. Look quite good.
Try Antron yarn or Aero wing yarn in different colours for bodies. Suppose to float, again have some flies tied up but not yet got around to using them.
Done some flies using deer hair and some with CDC for wings, all with same body materials, going to see which are the best or most effective.

[bill1]

In the Leon Links book there's a simple sbs for a caddis just using a twisted feather for body and head and a bunch of fibres for the wing. I've tied some up but still to try them. I use a bubble loop for hoppers but - as you pointed out - they make the whole fly rather bulky.

I hadn't thought of using antron yarn for bodies. As for Aero wing - a tad pricy for my pocket - mind, if it works......

[wobbly face]

The Tiemco Areowing is pricey and same stuff as poly yarn, the dull crinckley stuff. There is also poly floating yarn that is shinney and straight, but it doesn't do as it says on the tin, float.

F Fly and then Petijean's version, F Fly with CDC body.

[the stig]

nice looking wee fly there Bill

[arkle]

Some time ago, I was asked to tie some mayflies with cdc para hackles. The guy wanted 2 colours mixed, no problem but then he found they soon started to absorb water. So the mk.2 version had a grizzle saddle hackle wound through the 2 cdc's & they floated like a cork. Mind you, not quite so easy on an 18, but if you swap the tail fibres for either stiffer ones, or better still uses coc-de-lion or micro-fibbets that are spread out in a trident shape that'll sort the floatation issue for you.

[bill1]

Now that's a couple of good ideas, thanks, Arkle.

I'll try some micro-fibbets. As for tying 2 cdc hackles and a cock hackle, paraloop on an 18 - you have my respect but I know what would happen if I tried it.

[danielp]

Looks tasty that one. On larger flies I find putting some deer hairs in amongst the CDC can help prevent it sticking together and keep it floating. I know it would be fiddly on such a small size but perhaps some thin deer hair in the paraloop?