Archive for November, 2008

CDC Biot Comparadun

Hook: Tiemco #101 or standard dry fly hook Thread: Color to match natural
Tail: Microfibbetts (as a substitute to imitate an emerger you can use
Crinkled Zelon)
Abdomen: Goose or turkey biot, color to match natural
Wing: CDC feather tied in comparadun style (swept back or “caddis” style works well
too.)
Thorax: Superfine Dubbing

Many times over the course of the years I’ve heard fly fishing newbies say “Paul, I need to have so many flies in my box, I know necks are expensive, so what are the critical ones to buy?” One of the first things I tell them is that they can pretty much tie up flies for all the hatches they will see, and quite inexpensively at that. A few packages of dubbing, (and in this case biots), and CDC feathers in a variety of colors, and your ready for any hatch that you encounter. CDC and comparadun flies also offer a different look to the trout. I firmly believe that over the days or weeks that a particular hatch occurs on the TMA’s of CT, the trout learn to avoid certain patterns. A comparadun or CDC fly gives them a flat profile in the “top film” of the water column. Many times its just what’s needed to entice them to take the fly.

To tie this fly begin by securing the micro fibbetts at the rear of the fly. Split the fibbetts just as you would on a spinner. Tie in the biot by the tip with the biot notch to the rear of the hook and facing up. Wrap the biot forward approximately 2/3rds of the hook shank with hackle pliers. This should give you a very nice segmented abdomen. On large flies I sometimes apply some dubbing on the hook before I wrap the biot to better define the abdomen. Tie in your CDC feather for a wing. When you tie them in the tips should be facing towards the hook eye. Next stand the feathers upright and spread them “comparadun” style. I’ve also tied this fly with a “caddis” style or swept back wing. Dub superfine dubbing in back and in front of the CDC wing.