The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Thomas Duncan's CDC October Caddis Emerger

As an attempt to "split the difference", this fly does the work of an emerging October Caddis, but has a few details which might ordinarily be seen on an imitation of an adult. Instead of riding high, though, this fly will settle down in the film and its shiny body fibres, soft hackle, and CDC wing will give a convincing impression of a caddis in the process of developing into an adult. The deer or elk hair should be sparse, as its purpose in giving a slight colouration to the developing wings is only secondary; it's first job is to keep the CDC in place, which in turn keeps the fly atop the water.

You might be wondering why the wing is so lightly coloured, given that an October Caddis' wing is considerably darker. By using the cream CDC, we are essentially giving a shiny "underwing" effect, not so much replicating the entire wing's identical

if you follow this pattern - no matter how unnatural it might seem - you might find yourself pleasantly surprised

The recipe:

Hook: XL dry fly hook, size 6-10 (TMC 5212 or 200R or equivalent)
Body: Ginger SLF, tied shaggily (SLF is "Synthetic Living Fibre" from Wapsi)
Rib: X-Fine copper or gold wire
Hackle: Soft, mottled brown hen
Wing: Golden brown deer or elk over cream CDC

Tying instructions:

1. Take tying thread to rear of hook and form a dubbing loop.
2. Place dubb in loop and wrap forward, leaving room for hackle and wing.
3. Tie in hackle, tip first, and make a wrap or two, folding back as you do so.
4. Tie in CDC fairly full, extending no longer than the bend of the hook.
5. Place a small bundle of deer or elk on top of the hook, and gently slip a wrap over it, flaring it very slightly around the CDC. Allow a few fibres to stick out to the side to act as "outriggers" since it will otherwise want to tip easily.
6. Whip finish just under the deer hair tips, trim them, and cement.

TD in ID - October 2007