A minimalist CDC dry that relies on the feather's natural oils to float flush in the surface film. No hackle means a perfect flush silhouette on still water — exactly what selective tailwater fish demand during BWO hatches.
1. Thread base — Attach olive thread behind the eye and build a fine base to the bend.
2. Tail — Tie in a sparse bunch of dun hackle fibers at the bend.
3. Abdomen — Dub a very slim, smooth olive abdomen from the bend to the 2/3 point.
4. Wing — Select a CDC feather with good, dense fibers. Tie in the feather tips-first at the 2/3 point so the fibers splay upright. One well-tied CDC clump is ideal; adjust height to match hook gap.
5. Thorax — Dub a very small amount of olive dubbing on each side of the wing base.
6. Head — Build a tiny thread head. Whip finish. Do not apply head cement near CDC.
hook
thread
tail
body
wing
thorax
Baetis spp.
