by Craig Gittings
CDC Pheasant Tail Emerger
by Craig Gittings
The CDC Pheasant Tail Emerger is a relatively easy tie and is a very good pattern for imitating Mayfly Adults, Emergers, and Cripples. It also imitates an emerging midge. The pheasant tail makes a very realistic looking body, and the CDC makes an attractive bouyant wing and helps in angler visibility of the fly. Snowshoe Rabbit Foot Fur can alternatively be used for the wing; it also has natural buoyancy.
Fish this pattern in stillwaters or quieter stretches of stream/rivers, using a cast and wait presentation with floating line, 12 ft leader, and fluorocarbon 5x - 6x tippet.
Hook |
TMC 205, size 14-20 |
| Thread |
8/0 Brown, Camel, Olive, or Black |
Tail |
Pheasant Tail |
Body Adhesive |
Softex or Flexament |
Body |
Pheasant Tail |
Wing |
CDC or Snowshoe Rabbit Foot Fur |
Thorax |
Peacock Herl or Dubbing |
Hackle |
Grizzly Dry Fly (Optional) |
Head |
Thread |