J T Olive sinking

[Spider]

I rate the JT Olive highly, and have used it this season for the first time, with good success, beaten consistently only by the amazing Griffiths Gnat.

However, I have found more and more that all it takes is one fish, maybe two, and the fly has to be replaced. In fact, even no fish, just a few casts and soakings will do it.

I use Grip or Tiemco hooks in size 17-19, , two CDC feathers ( I may be tying them too short ? ), and the Coq de Leon tails.

Other drying assistance comes from an amadou pad and Toads Tush ( although I have a feeling Frogs Fanny kept the fly on the surface more, although i cant be sure ) .

Any top tips - i was going to try the single plume CDC by Jeremy Lucas, but i dont see any point if thats what happens......

Finally, my CDC seems fine, sourced from a solid foreign member of the forum.

Any suggestions before my CDC days come to a sad end ?

[adamroybooth]

Hi there

Agree it isnt the most robust of things when a toothy critter mullers it.

I frogs fanny it at very very regular intervals to ensure it is riding as designed. If this means every few casts then so be it.

It very rarely doesnt pay back all that TLC.

Ads

[corky]

I find that dyed cdc sinks a lot sooner than the natural(although picric dyed has good floatability)and also if chomped cdc needs a total dryoff on the flypatch before re-use.Cdc oil might be the answer Spider.
Corky

[HOOK]

Hello Spider the lads where I fish showed me a tip regarding Cdc feathers on the fly I've got amadou, they gink the fly and when they catch a fish they dry the fly on those rough paper hand towels you find in those mobile toilets just dry your fly like you were using a paint brush, two false casts and it's floating again hope this helps you put about 4or5 in your top pocket.

Robbie

[Mrtrout]

Totally agree John, CDC is wonderful stuff to tie with, and easy even for me, looks fantastic when it first hits the water, and often takes a fish when all other flies fail.
But and it's a big BUT, the trouble involved in keeping it looking good is tiresome to me.
I always give the fly a very good wash after a fish, no good just drying it, it needs to be thoroughly washed in the river, then amadou, then FF and a good flick before it goes out again.
What a palaver, but I do use them because they work so well at fooling trout.
S.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by mrtrout

What a palaver, but I do use them because they work so well at fooling trout.
S.

I agree and i think thats the point, i would not use them as a searching fly but rather to targeted rising fish that are worth the effort. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind how effective they are.
Having been a devotee of CDC for years i have come to the conclusion that rather than dry them after a fish, i simply replace the fly with a new one and stick the wet one in my vest so they can get stuck in my skin when i am looking for my fags mid stream. Cutting the fly off and sticking a new one on without all the hastle of ginking etc makes it pretty much time efficient compared to a parachute fly.

I have often said in defense of CDC that i would rather have to change my fly after every fish than use a hackled job that does not catch fish.

Spider if you like the way the CDC fly sits in the water (low riding), try a traditional collar hackled fly with the underside clipped off, it wont have the gentle footprint of CDC and might not fool just as many fish but should be in the same ballpark ...kind of!

This is a good example on Hans site of the sort of thing with the clipped hackle:-

Blue Upright (clipped)

[fly in mi eye]

I agree with Buzz about it being a targeting fly and not searching,to use it as a searching fly i have substituted the tails for micro fibbets and the cdc with deer hair,more of a comparadun,and it works a treat,it floats like a cork all day long and none of the drying and messing about that cdc requires,my lad who has just started fly fishing fishes it alot,as he can keep it floating even after just catching a trout,he doesnt do anything to it just one false cast and its back floating,
A while back he was using the said fly and after watching him catch several fish i went over to him and looked at the fly,there was 3 strands of deer hair and hardly any dubbing left on it,but he was still using it as he could just see what was left of the deer hair sort of half subsurface and still taking fish on it,

Paul

[Spider]

Beginning to come around to this way of thinking Buzz - this season there will be loads more dry fly tying that last season.....

Out of interest, does watershed help CDC ?

Or CDC oil ?

[nefisher]

CDC oil is the best bet, the mark petijean one is very good.

Carl

[Spider]

Thanks Carl, is this CDC oil applied directly at use like Frogs Fanny , or in advance when the fly is tied?