Fly Tying Inventory
CDC Midge Pupa
Cheech treats the CDC Midge Pupa as a template rather than a fixed pattern, so tyers can change it to suit. It comes down to thread, dubbing and a CDC overwing. The wing is not mainly there for flotation, though it can help in the film. CDC holds air bubbles and moves in its own way below the surface. Fish the fly deep on a nymph rig, mid column, or close to the surface on a greased leader. Fly Fish Food suggests gray, black and olive. Tied here on a size 18 hook.
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Materials
Black permanent marker, for coloring the thread to make the rib
Black
Nature's Spirit CDC Feathers, dark gray dun (or light slate dun, dark slate dun, light gray dun)
Dark Gray Dun
Super Fine Dry Fly Dubbing, Adams gray
Adams Gray
How to Tie the CDC Midge Pupa
- 1
Step 1
Clamp the hook in the vise and start the thread on the shank. Trim the tag.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap the thread down the shank into the bend and back to form a smooth, slim body.
- 3
Step 3
With the thread at the rear of the body, color a length of it close to the hook with the black marker.
- 4
Step 4
Spiral the colored thread forward over the body in open turns to make the rib, and stop with room left behind the eye for the wing and head.
- 5
Step 5
Pinch a small clump of CDC fibers from the feather.
- 6
Step 6
Set the clump on top of the shank at the front of the body with the tips pointing back over the body, and bind it down.
- 7
Step 7
Trim the butts of the CDC that stick out past the tie-in point.
- 8
Step 8
Twist a thin layer of Adams gray dubbing onto the thread.
- 9
Step 9
Wrap the dubbing around the base of the wing and forward to the eye to form a small head.
- 10
Step 10
Whip finish behind the eye and trim the thread.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZffGZ85Vs4
Credit: Cheech / Fly Fish Food