CDC Loop Wing Emerger
Imitates: Mayfly emerger trapped in the surface film
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #16-20
- Best Season
- Spring and summer mayfly hatches
- Best Conditions
- Spring creeks, slow tailwaters, picky sipping trout
- Water Temp
- 50-65°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 6X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Single dry on a long leader. Treat with desiccant powder, not gel floatant.
How to Present It
Dead-drift through risers. Sits flush with the surface like a real emerger struggling out of its shuck.
Why It Works
CDC (cul de canard) feathers trap air bubbles and breathe with current, perfectly imitating the gas-bubble emergence of a mayfly. The loop wing is a clear visual trigger.
History
European spring creek anglers refined CDC emerger styles in the 1980s-90s, and the loop-wing variation became a staple on the most technical waters in the world.
Pro Tip
Never use gel floatant on CDC — it mats the fibers permanently. Use only desiccant powder (silica) to dry the fly between fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CDC?+
CDC stands for cul de canard — French for 'duck's behind.' These are the small oily feathers around a duck's preen gland, naturally water-repellent.
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