JeffD 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 If i dont have CDC, is there something i may have in inventory i can use in place? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flat Rock native 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 Welcome Jeff D, you have come to the correct venue for some help. It is a very good question because CDC has some unique properties. If you could be more specific about what application you are going to make of it, many experts can chime in. For instance if you need to create a parachute post, there are a number of synthetic and organic materials that you might substitute such as macramé (polyolefin) yarns, other poly yarns, perhaps some deer or calf hair. What pattern are you trying to complete? Many will be glad to help out.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffD 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 Well i would like to tie a Quil Body CDC Mayfly Emerger. I seems like it would be a deadly fly because of the life stage it imitates. I do have calf tail that would work for the parachute post but, my problem is the CDC thats fold over the body. Thank you for your help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilverCreek 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2017 Snowshoe rabbit foot fur can be used as a substitute for CDC in some flies. Here is your "Quill Body CDC Mayfly Emerger" fly. Here is a snowshoe rabbit foot emerger below. Since you don't have CDC, substitute PT fibers for the CDC thorax pullover and use a smaller amount of snowshoe fur on the CDC fly above and it will be close enough. Of course you need Snowshoe Rabbit Feet!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffD 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2017 Thank you for that Silver Creek. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Al Beatty 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2017 If you have a Chickabou pelt (chicken marabou) it makes a good sub for CDC if you TREAT it with a silicone spray like Scotch Guard or Kiwi Kamp Dry Just "hose down" the pelt with spray and hang it up to dry for a day or two. Fluff the dry pelt up before using it. Take care & ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feathers5 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Snowshoe rabbit foot fur can be used as a substitute for CDC in some flies. Here is your "Quill Body CDC Mayfly Emerger" fly. Here is a snowshoe rabbit foot emerger below. Since you don't have CDC, substitute PT fibers for the CDC thorax pullover and use a smaller amount of snowshoe fur on the CDC fly above and it will be close enough. Of course you need Snowshoe Rabbit Feet!!! BY the way , Silver, have you ever used the snowshoe underfur for, emerger dries, etc.? I find it floats flies really well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McGnat 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Yep, chickaboo will work. I tried it a couple years ago. You can treat it with the Bergman formula or Rustoleum Neverwet for fabrics. It is the single step formula that comes in a blue spray bottle. I treat the chickaboo after the fly is tied. All those fine fuzzy barbules give a lot of surface area like CDC. You do have to fluff it after treating it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bream&Birdie19 0 Report post Posted May 8, 2019 Hi guys. New to this forum, have been tying about 2 years. I think of myself as a newbie. Just received turkey preen feathers. I had requested duck from my dentist, a duck & turkey hunter. Question: Can I use the turkey preen in place of CDC? I know the fly makes a difference. Yet, has anyone done so successfully? Which flies. I am a bream fisher and tie mostly cork poppers. I whittle/sand the cork down to various sizes. My pic are on my iPhone. Will start producing iPad pic for display. Mississippi has great bream beds. Too, I recently tied dry flies wanting to try them on the still waters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted May 8, 2019 I can't answer your question, Bream, but welcome to the site. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flicted 0 Report post Posted May 8, 2019 You can use anything in place of anything. Of course, CDC has a unique texture and oil. Turkey preen may be similar but may not have the floatation. The only thing I would worry about is if the turkey preen feathers would soak much water and ruin your float. Bottom line is that it will be buggy and your bream should like it. I used to use cork over the beds for bluegill in Nebraska and Minnesota but I switched to foam spiders and then for the last 10-15 years to standard dry flies like elk or moose (often with CDC) caddis patterns and midge clusters that float really well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites