CDC is a fly-tying material used in the tying of buzzers, emergers and dry flies. It has many characteristics which make it an excellent material. It is both soft and fluffy, it is buoyant, has great movement in the water often trapping bubbles of air. This makes it great at imitating the bubble created by emerging insects. CDC also comes in various colors.
In this article, I will cover what CDC is used for in fly tying, how to use CDC in your fly patterns as well as how to fish CDC flies.
What Does CDC Stand For in Fly Tying?
Cul de canard, also known as CDC, is French for “duck bottom”. The duck feathers used as CDC are located at back of the duck around the preen gland (uropygial gland). The preen gland produces preen oil which ducks use to help keep their feathers supple a hydrophobic.
The preen oil makes the feathers around the preen gland very buoyant. This is great for fly tiers who want to use these buoyant properties of the fly to make their flies float.
Why Use CDC For Fly Tying?
Cul de canard is one of the best natural fly tying materials available. In my opinion it is often overlooked. CDC is unique in its structure; each fibre is soft and moves in a lifelike manner. This natural movement of the fibres in the water grabs the attention of the trout.
You should use CDC in fly tying as it is a versatile, natural fly-tying material. CDC is well known for its use in dry flies, emergers and buzzers. However, CDC works well when incorporated and used in soft hackle flies as well as on nymph patterns where the fibers can be used to imitate legs.
Best Colors of CDC For Fly Tying
As CDC feathers come in many different colors it can be difficult to choose the right kind to use for fly tying and in fly fishing.
When it comes to fly fishing, you should choose a color that closely represents the color of insect the trout are feeding on.
As a fly tier, I like to have a selection of various colors of CDC on hand. Some of the best colors of CDC are olive, claret, black, red, yellow and orange. These are some of the must have colors of CDC, I also like to have blue, pink and white CDC in my collection of materials.
How Do You Fish CDC Flies?
If you are fishing CDC buzzer, emerger or dry fly patterns, the best way to fish CDC flies for catching trout is during a buzzer hatch. The naturally oily CDC feathers allow the flies to float on the water or sit in the water’s film.
In this state, the trout will sip them from the surface of the water. There will be no need to retrieve the fly, only to stay in contact with the fly by keeping the line tight. In this way, if there is a take, the trout will become hooked.
Do not put fly floatant on the CDC fly, as when CDC flies are treated properly, they can be fished for hours even when you are catching fish. CDC flies do not have to be a “one catch fly”.
If you are fishing soft hackle or nymph CDC patterns, fish them as you would normally fish your nymph patterns. The extra movement in the fly should be enough to attract the attention of trout.
FAQ
Do CDC Feathers Float?
Yes, CDC feathers float. Cul de canard feathers are extremely buoyant due to the natural oils from the duck’s preening gland. The feather itself is soft and fluffy. This special combination of the feather’s structure and the oil allow the feathers to float. CDC feathers are championed among fly tiers and fly fishers who use them for dry flies and for flies that should sit just below the surface of the water.
Does CDC Float Well?
Yes, CDC floats very well. Depending on the fly pattern and how it was tied, CDC flies can catch several fish and still float. Some flies, especially larger ones tied with CDC can begin to sink after a while. However, with both a light hook and a smaller hook size, the CDC should float like a duck on water.
If you fly does begin to sink, try using a series of false casts to dry it off a little. This should whip out some of the water from the fly and allow it to regain its floating properties.
Do CDC Flies Need Floatant?
No, CDC flies do not need floatant. In fact, you should avoid putting floatant on CDC flies because floatants can cause the feathers to stick together and stop floating.
I would recommend having several CDC fly patterns so you can quickly change flies if one gets wet. Once the wet fly has been allowed to dry it will float again.
Veniard has a specially designed CDC floatant oil to use on dry flies with CDC feathers. Using this oil on CDC lies can help to improve their buoyancy and allows CDC flies to float higher for longer. The CDC oil can also be used to keep your flies protected from fish slime which often causes CDC flies to sink after them have caught a fish.
What is a CDC Buzzer?
A CDC buzzer is a buzzer imitation pattern that uses CDC feathers. CDC feathers are often used in buzzer imitations to represent the breathers of the emerging insect but also to help the fly sit just below the surface of the water.
I recommend matching the color of the CDC to the color of the buzzers that are hatching. CDC buzzers are an effective fly to fish during midge hatches.