I was looking in the archives under a chronie pattern and there was mention of a cdc material used for gills over a bead. could anyone tell me what cdc is. thanks in advance.
CDC is short for cul-de-canard. These are downy feathers found around the preen gland on the backs of waterfowl. Watch ducks on the water and you'll see them rubbing their bills on the preen-gland (located on the back just in front of the tail) - hence the term "preening". A naural oil is exuded by the gland which is then distributed through the plumage to keep themseves "waterproof". CDC feathers have a natural bouyancy and great mobility. It is readilly available from any fly-shop with a decent selection of fly tying materials.
One more note about CDC, if you use it for floatation, like dries etc. DO NOT USE ANY FLOATANT on the CDc, this will cause the natural oils to disolve and you won't get as good a float.
thanks pete.
I'll use these for a sinking fly on about a twenty foot leader. Would you recommend adding a small bit of lead wire to make it sink?
Also, if you have any photos of chronie patterns on your pc, could you please post them. I looking for some new ideas to add to my collection. i mostly fish stillwater in late spring/early summer on mountain top lakes.
Don't add any lead to your fly! You want to keep the fly as slim as possible. I would also use white antron for the gill. It stays brilliantly white when wet and doesn't add bouyancy as CDC does. I usually use a very small split shot about 12" above the chironomid to get it down. I believe it also allows the fly to kind of pendulum under the split shot for some very minute, but lifelike motion to the fly. Here is a link to my favorite chironomid pattern: http://shop.flyfishing.about.com/fly_archive/details/248.htm I have since alterred the pattern somewhat. I now use whatever colour thread I wish the body to be, as an underwrap and then build the body with clear v-rib. This gives a more translucent look to the fly. You could also use small liquid lace in place of the v-rib.
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