Whiskey Creek Fly Fishing » CDC

Fly Days of August: CDC Rusty Spinner

WhiskeyCreek — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:05:10 +0000

The rusty spinner works for many mayfly species, as they are spent with egg laying. The dead/dying flies are flush in the film, with their wings splayed out. When fish are keyed on spinners, they take a relaxed rise, conserving energy and not too worried about the bugs escaping. Usually, you’ll just see a nose pop out of the water, maybe a little porpoising.

This is a tough fly to see in the water. Spot where it lands, and follow the location during the drift. Tighten if you see a nose near the fly’s location.

CDC Rusty Spinner

CDC Rusty Spinner

Hook: Dry Fly like Tiemco 100, size 14 to 20
Tail: 3 splayed hackle fibers, or micro-fibbets
Body: Turkey or Goose Biot, died rust (Turkey for larger sizes)
Wing: CDC puffs, tied out to the side, topped with pearl Krystal Flash
Thorax: Rusty dry fly dubbing

Fly Days of August: Henry’s Fork Caddis

WhiskeyCreek — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:49:00 +0000

This is a darker variation of the Harrop pattern, Henry’s Fork Caddis. Instead of an olive biot, this one uses a stripped peacock herl.

If you are not familiar with Rene’ Harrop’s patterns, he is a master fly tyer and the guy behind The TroutHunter on Henry’s Fork. In my opinion, his selection & quality of CDC feathers are the best.

Henry's Fork Caddis

Henry’s Fork Caddis

Hook: Tiemco 101BL, size 14
Body: Stripped peacock herl (a light coat of zap-a-gap on the hook helps durability)
Wing: Dark Dun CDC
Overwing: a few partridge fibers (about a dozen)
Thorax: Peacock
Hackle: Dun saddle (Grizzly works also)

Harrop Family Ties

WhiskeyCreek — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:22:23 +0000

Harrop Family Ties is a well made tying DVD, which shows the Harrop family tying the flies that made the House of Harrop famous.

The video starts with a tribute to Andre Puyans, inventor of the AP Nymph and a beloved instructor of fly fishing and fly tying.

Six flies are demonstrated, showing a variety of species and stages of life. As one would expect with Harrop’s flies, all feature CDC.

PMD No Hackle
CDC Henry’s Fork Caddis
Rusty CDC Paraspinner
PMD CDC Last Chance Cripple
Flav CDC Biot Dun
PMD CDC Biot Thorax

I enjoyed the detailed demonstration, which includes instant replay for the complicated operations, an explanation about the materials used, including why that material was chosen and what attributes about the material were important for selection. Some of the commentary may get slow, as entertainment value, but you are seeing master fly tiers share their secrets. No complaints from me.

For those of you that don’t tie, the Harrop flies are available at their fly shop, The Trouthunter on the banks of Henry’s Fork. Also, available from Troutflies online shop.