In my last Entry I covered my basic CDC Loop Wing Mayfly Emerger pattern followed by a very brief description. I wanted now to continue to share how I create a fast water version of this fly that I typically use in pocket water, faster riffles, and below plunge pools. This version of the pattern is a gestural and impressionistic fly with great buoyancy. In the below photo we see two CDC feathers neatly stacked bottom side facing up. A small bundle of Tiemco Dry Wing fibers are then tied in directly in front of the tie in point of CDC. We will use these fibers to pull over a split clump of coastal deer hair. This is done much like winging a spinner pattern using deer hair. These hair fibers are emulating the legs of the emerger breaking free of its nymphal shuck. They also act as extra buoyancy and stability in faster water. Once the Aero Wing Dry Fly fibers are tied in, we then take a small clump of coastal deer hair, you do not need very much, and tie it in straddling your...
(click on any image including video below for magnification) The CDC Loop Wing Emerger on the Hanak 300 BL is a deadly combo for your summer fly box. Lets talk a little about the hook selection since this is often overlooked in many videos and articles on the topic of emergers. The geometry of this particular hook lends itself perfectly to this pattern. A wide gap, an extra elongated point, and a precise bend give this hook an overall appearance like it was designed by Fibonacci himself. There is a great deal of design time and thoughtfulness that went into this hook and being a designer by trade myself I give it 3 Michelin Stars. When coupled with the selected materials, as seen in the above photo of my version of this fly, there is a visual cadence that well...just seems right to me. Using teal as a tail along with a natural stripped peacock quill body seems to sing on the same song sheet for me. Working our way forward, we tie in two CDC feathers to create the loop wing. Then ...