CDC Fly Fest: A Better CDC Sedge

CDC Fly Fest: A Better CDC Sedge

In the world of dry flies, few patterns are as essential as the CDC sedge. It’s a reliable choice during caddis hatches and evening rises, and it has earned a place in nearly every serious fly angler’s box. But even the classics can be improved.

Lucien shares a small but game-changing improvement to one of Europe’s most trusted dry flies: the CDC Sedge. This timeless pattern has earned its place in every fly box, especially during summer caddis hatches, and Lucien’s version takes it one step further.

A Pattern with History

More than twenty years ago, Lucien was introduced to this fly by his Slovak friend, Peter Durisik — a talented fly tier and fisherman whose work left a lasting impression. The original CDC Sedge used CDC feathers trimmed just behind the hook eye to form short, fixed wings. It’s a proven method, but Lucien wondered if there was a way to make it even better.

The Simple Tweak That Changes Everything

In Lucien’s variation, the CDC feathers are tied in as usual, but instead of trimming both stem and barbs, he only trims the stem. The result: the CDC fibres remain free, forming a natural hackle around the head of the fly.

This subtle change adds surprising benefits:

  • Improved stability – the fly sits more securely on the surface.
  • Better flotation – CDC hackle traps more air, keeping it buoyant.
  • Subtle movement – free fibres shimmer and pulse with lifelike action, perfect for tempting selective trout.
  • More efficient use of CDC – only three feathers are needed, with almost no waste.

Why It Belongs in Your Box

The Better CDC Sedge isn’t a flashy reinvention — it’s a practical refinement of a trusted classic. By letting the CDC fibres do their natural work, this version delivers performance on the water and stretches your tying materials further.

Whether you’re fishing evening caddis hatches or tricky summer rivers, this little adjustment can be the difference between refusals and confident takes.

Materials

Original

  • Hook: Demmon Suprem D201 size 14
  • Thread: Champion Micro Split in brown or orange or rusty orange
  • Tail: crystal flash
  • Body: CDC natural grey palmered using split thread technique
  • Wing: CDC natural grey – 3 feathers with long barbs

Fed’s Alternative

  • Hook:Dry fly size 14.
  • Thread:Brown or orange or rusty orange.
  • Tail:Crystal flash green peacock.
  • Body:CDC dubbing brush natural grey.
  • Wing:CDC natural grey – 3 feathers with long barbs.
Krystal Flash - Peacock Green
Krystal Flash – Peacock Green
Burnt orange tying thread
burnt orange tying thread
Brown tying thread
brown tying thread
CDC dubbing, natural grey
CDC dubbing, natural grey
Dry fly hook, size 14
Dry fly hook, size 14
dubbing brush natural grey
Dubbing brush – natural grey

Tying Instructions

  1. Start the thread – start your thread at the hook shank and wrap a base layer.
  2. Tie in the tail – use two strands of Krystal Flash, approximately hook length.
Hook with thread base and two-strand tail tied in, approximately the length of the hook shank.
Fly with dubbed CDC body and CDC feathers tied in as wings, extending over the hook shank.
  1. Form the body – create a CDC dubbing loop (or use a dubbing brush) and dub the body.
  2. Add the wings – Tie in CDC feathers for the wings.
  1. Prepare the butts – brush the feather butts forward and trim any excess stems.
  2. Shape the wing hackle – fold the remaining barbs over to form a soft, natural hackle around the wing.
Fly showing CDC barbs folded over to form a soft, natural wing hackle around the tied-in CDC feathers.
Completed Better CDC Sedge with all CDC fibres brushed toward the tail, neatly finished with a whip finish.
  1. Secure and finish – tie in the folded barbs and whip finish the fly.
  2. Final touch: Gently brush all CDC fibres toward the tail for proper alignment and natural movement.
Julian Tapping

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