CDC Fly Fest: Micro Olive CDC Dun

CDC Fly Fest: Micro Olive CDC Dun

This week in the CDC Fly Fest, we’re highlighting a true hidden gem: Lucian Vasies’ Micro Olive CDC Dun.

Favoured by Polish anglers on the River San and Dunajek, this delicate micro fly has proven itself far beyond local waters. Czech and Slovak competitors have even relied on it to take top spots in fishing competitions, giving the Micro Olive CDC a reputation that stretches across Europe.

What makes it so special? Its minimalist design. With no bulky hackle, this fly creates a subtle, natural “water print” that closely matches emerging olives. Thin, fragile, and understated, it often outperforms more traditional patterns when trout and grayling are feeding selectively.

Perfect for pressured fish and clear water conditions, the Micro Olive CDC has earned its place as a go-to choice for technical dry-fly fishing.

In this week’s video, Lucian shares one of the ways he ties this beautiful fly — proving once again that simplicity can be the ultimate sophistication in fly design.

Materials

Original

  • Hook in sizes #16-20
  • Thread that lays flat; I use the new Champion 8/0, which is fabulous. Here, I use two threads to create a nice translucent body (yellow with a tint of olive).
  • Tail made of Coq de Leon in the colour Rubion.
  • Thorax made of Mad Rabbit dubbing or squirrel mask dubbing
  • Wing made of CDC using two small feathers.
  • Head made of Champion thread in orange terracotta colour.

Fed’s Alternative

  • Hook:Size 16-20 (18 recommended).
  • Thread:Yellow and olive.
  • Tail:Coq de Leon in the colour Rubion.
  • Thorax:Rabbit dubbing or squirrel mask dubbing.
  • Wing:CDC using two small feathers.
  • Head:Thread in orange terracotta colour.
Pearl tinsel
Pearl tinsel
Rabbit dubbing
Rabbit dubbing
Coq De Leon - Rubion
Coq De Leon – Rubion
Dry fly hooks 12-20
Dry fly hooks, size 16-20
CDC dubbing, natural grey
CDC dubbing
14/0 thread, yellow
Olive thread
Olive thread
Thread for head, orange terracotta
Thread for head, orange terracotta

Tying Instructions

  1. Start the thread on the hook shank.
  2. Tie in a short tail.
Hook with thread started and tail tied in.
Slender tapered body formed with thread, whip finished.
  1. Build a slender, tapered body with thread.
  2. Whip finish and switch to a contrasting thread colour.
  1. Tie in CDC feathers with the tips facing forward, then trim the butts.
  2. Dub a small thorax and whip finish in front of the wing.
CDC feathers tied in forward and trimmed, thorax dubbed.
Completed Micro Olive CDC Dry Fly with neat head.
  1. Change thread if needed and form a neat head.
  2. Whip finish and trim
Julian Tapping

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