CDC Mayfly with Bubbles

August, 2009

                              Fly Pattern: CDC Mayfly with Bubbles

                             Tier's Name: Dean Childs      Email: See Roster
                             Date: 08/03/09                Phone: See Roster

    Fly Originator and History:  Marc Pettijean developed the CDC system in the 
    1960's. The pattern origin is unknown. Dean Childs developed the bubble veil 
    in August 2009.

                                        How the Fly is Fished
    Suggested line and leader: Floating line with a light tapered leader.
    Depth range: Surface
    Suggested retrieve: Slow retrieve with an occasional twitch.
    Comments: Occasionally tugging on the line will cause the fly to submerge and 
    then re-surface. This would suggest an emerging mayfly and may bring on a strike.

                                       Fly Material
    Hook make /size / length: TMC 100 (dry fly), Size 14-18
    Thread: size / color / type: 6/0, Tan or brown  UTC or Gudebrod. 
    Weighted? y/n / size / # of wraps: No.
    Tail material / size / color: Pheasant barbs, or to suit
    Body material / size/ color: CDC, Tan or Brown (select a color to match the hatch). 
    Ribbing size / color: None.
    Thorax size / color: None. (Thorax is formed from the CDC stubs during step #10)
    Hackle size / color: White Antron dubbing. CDC, Tan or brown (select a color 
    to match the hatch)
    Head size / color: Small thread head.
    Other: A 'CDC Bench' or other device used to fold the CDC hackle feather, and 
    a clip to hold the barbules and expose the quill. 

                                       Tying Steps
    1. Starting at the mid-point of the hook, lay down a thread base to the bend 
    (just above the barb) of the hook. 

    2. Tail. Tie in 3 pheasant barbs at the bend. The tail should be about the 
    length of the shank. 

    3. Body. At the bend, tie in a CDC feather with one loose wrap near the butt. 
    The butt should be facing rearward. Pull the feather through the loose wraps 
    until the tip is clear of the hook eye. Then secure the feather with more turns.

    4. Twist the CDC to the left a few times, being careful not to over do it and 
    break the feather off.

    5. Wrap the CDC forward, twisting it one turn to the left per wrap around the 
    shank. Wraps should be next to each other to produce a segmented appearance.

    6. At about 1/4 of the shank length from the eye, tie-off the CDC.

    7. Trim any stray CDC barbules fairly close to the shank, so that the body has 
    a buggy appearance.

    8. Hackle. Prepare a dubbing rope of CDC barbules and Antron dubbing. (See separate 
    instructions, "Preparing the CDC Hackle", below.)

    9. Twist dubbing rope to the left until all of the barbules captured in the thread.

    10. Starting at the 1/4 point, wrap the CDC rope towards the eye, stroking the 
    barbules towards the rear. The wraps should be next to one another, and not overlapping. 
    Continue wrapping forward to about an eye's-length away from the eye. Tie off 
    the dubbing rope and trim.

    11. Head. Form a small thread head and whip finish twice (do not apply glue 
    as it will affect the performance of the CDC).

    12 Brush the wing lightly with a soft brush to disperse the antron and create 
    the appearance of bubbles. Trim as nessesary.


                                       Preparing the CDC Hackle

    1. Lay a very small amount of white Antron dubbing perpendicular to the slit 
    on the CDC Bench. Spread the dubbing out evenly along the slit. The dubbing 
    gives the impression of the bubbles that are formed on the insect as it moves 
    through the water.
	

    2. Set the shaft of the hackle feather not more than 1/8-inch into one of the 
    slits of the CDC Bench, drawing the Antron into the slit as well.  (For a mottled 
    buggy look use two feathers of different colors. Line the feather shafts up 
    before inserting both into the bench).
	

    3. Using a tooth brush, lightly brush the CDC barbules and Antron material upward, 
    so that they are standing up.
	

    4. Trim off the excess CDC that overlaps the sides of the bench

    5. Use a clip to capture the barbules. 
	

    6. With one hand, open the slit and then pull the clip up to remove the CDC.
	

    7. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut shaft off of the CDC, leaving only the 
    barbules (and Antron) in the clip.
	

    8. Use a very sharp bodkin or a sewing machine needle to split the tying thread 
    (which is hanging on the hook after completing the body).
	

    9. Place the CDC into the split and then allow the thread to rejoin, trapping 
    the CDC. Release the clip.
	

    10. Twist the thread to the left until a rope is formed.