Tying a CDC Spinner by Davie McPhail

Materials used;
Hook, Size 16 Partridge SLD Patriot Dry Fly
Thread, Uni-8/0 Light Cahill
Tail, Light Yellow Microfibets or Hackle Fibres
Rib, Cahill Thread Coloured with Amber Pen
Thorax, Tan and Orange Dubbing
Wing, Natural or White CDC

[@3000waterman]

Perfect! Such a simple and effective fly. I suspect an angler wanting an uncomplicated life could spend his whole fishing career using just three patterns: a pheasant tail nymph, a klinkhammer, and this very clever little dun/spinner. Having said that, my boxes are filled with every pattern known to mankind, and I stare into them vacantly, wondering what to try next (when a bit of observation and a good thistledown cast would serve me better). The trouble with being a keen and competent tier, is that fly output is both a joy, and a curse of over-supply. I give SO many away.

[@stevebunker3891]

your tying videos are by far the best I have seen. I have come out of fly tying retirement because of them. Thank you!

[@dannymcg8300]

Superb looking fly Davie. Nicely tied and very well explained. Many thanks for sharing.

[@stuartjones7903]

Outstanding Davie from the intro music guitar playing which I believe is your son playing the instrument to the great presentation and the utter simplistic way you perform your craft and create these flies .Maybe a closure comment or two for the benefit of the less experienced fly fisherman like myself on how you actually put the flies that you create to work ,leader length,whether on the dropper etc etc ,I know this is a fly tying presentation and not a fly fishing one but it would round the whole episode off

[@seanmooney3907]

Fantastic as usual. I have used every complimentary adjective I know to describe your flies over the years. Thanks for sharing. All the best to you and yours, and God bless all as well. Sean

[@jaimevendrell5698]

Hi Davie. Great fly. I always learn something new watching your videos. You´re a great tyer. Thanks for sharing.

[@Wyamike734]

Nice and simple fly that looks great. Thanks for the tip on wing position.

[@user-xf5qi2jn2y]

Davie Hi from St. Petersburg ! I look forward to every your new front sight. Your experience and skill know a lot of Russian anglers. I was now fishing on the river Varzuga. Your flies brought me 5 salmon. Thank you!

[@christopherhall4311]

Great fly as usual! I've always been scared of tying the really small flies, but this inspires me to try again.

[@edhubble]

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you, Davie, once again!

[@nicolasklockow3150]

Amazing video Davie! Thank you for uploading your tying methods. It inspired me to restart tying my own flies! Cheers! Nico

[@Rocky1234732]

Great tying video! Will be tying this one for sure. Thanks keep them coming.

[@pahuntnut]

Thanks again. I have learned so much from your videos

[@MrPJ2412]

Just what I was looking for. Great pattern, can't wait to try it out on the natives!!

[@MM-tt3np]

a killer pattern!! thx Davie

[@m00nsplitter72]

Elegantly tied.

[@FELIPESOUZA-hv1hd]

You are the best sir!

[@47flyfisher]

Thanks Davie. I will try this style for #24 Tricos, but I think I will use the cdc puffs. Harold

[@sjohnson4882]

Great. Love the sparseness.

[@jsboyle3459]

nice fly

[@tricoptero6419]

Hello davie. Very good assembly. Don't you remove the quill from the cdc feather to form the wings? Greetings from Spain.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi @tricoptero6419, I did at one time but I don't now especially with the domestic duck cdc feathers as there's not as much fibre on them as you would get on the cdc from wild birds..I'm glad you liked the fly and thank you for the kind words.. All the very best Davie..

[@tricoptero6419]

Many Thanks davie. Tight lines.

[@luisfinochio1262]

Hi David, good morning. The thorax could be replaced by dubbing instead of thread. Greetings from Argentina

[@simongroom974]

Hi Davie Love the videos……I believe you use a Veniard whip finish tool……what size do you use? ….it looks great!

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Simon, The whip finisher that I use was originally made by an American gentleman but unfortunately it's no longer being made though many companies have a copy of it so I have attached a link to one for you to see.. All the very best Davie.. www.fishingmegastore.com/fly-tying-tools/veniard-whip-finisher~8817.html

[@rudychavira5558]

Hey Davie, nice tie any suggestion on premier cdc feathers, I have not seen much worth tying with?

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Rudy Chavira, I have attached a couple of links to Premier Angling that sold me the white and natural CDC feathers and as well to David Jedicka who sells amazing feathers too..I hope this is of some help to you.. All the very best Davie.. facebook.com/Premier-Angling-1575731602677411/ facebook.com/jedlicka1

[@user-ib5rn6dp1c]

👍🏻

[@johnkendall6962]

what does CDC stand for.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi John Kendall, CDC stands for Cul de Canard which means Ducks Bottom as far as I believe in French.. All the very best Davie..

[@johnkendall6962]

@@DavieMcPhail Thank you , I have seen CDC many times in fly tying videos and knew it was a feather but not what kind or what bird it came from

[@travisharkness1554]

why use wax? and wat is CDC?

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi +travis harkness, Using a wax on your thread makes it much stronger and will give you more grip with less turns so making tying your fly easier and last much longer when fished...Cul De Canard (CDC) (French for "Duck bottom") are the feathers from the back of a duck directly around the preen gland, they are very buoyant due to preen oil produced by the preen gland though I would add a floatant as as you fish the fly as it will slowly lose it's natural oil... All the very best Davie

[@travisharkness1554]

+Davie McPhail thanks very much, helps alot cause I'm trying to get in to fly tying