CDC Cripple Tying Instructions

The plan is coming together for a big trip to the South Fork of the Snake it late August with some good, good buddies.  This is a standard on the South Fork.  Pinkish Pale Morning Duns on the South Fork are probably the most dependable hatch I know of.  The South Fork of the Boise has some pinkies too so if you are coming to Idaho in the summer tie some up.

Pink Cahill CDC Cripple - Trout Fly

Hook: TMC 100 #16-18

Thread: 8/0 Uni Light Cahill

Tail: Mallard Dyed Woodduck and Brown Antron

Body: Pink Cahill Goose Biot

Thorax: Pink Cahill Dubbing

Wing: Natural Dun CDC

Hackle: Cream Hackle

Step 1: Start thread on hook.

Step 2: Tie in mallard flank feathers.

Step 3: Tie in a small amount of brown antron yarn.

Step 4: Tie in goose biot by the tip.  Hit the thread with head cement.

Step 5: Wrap goose biot body.

Step 6: Dub thorax.

Step 7: Tie in two cdc feathers facing forward and clip butts as shown.

Step 8: Tie in hackle, wrap it and whip finish.

One key thing for me when tying flies with goose or turkey biots is to coat the thread wrap with head cement and wrap the biot over it.  For me this adds a lot of durability to the fly.