Bodkin / Patterns

CDC Callibaetis Nymph

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook 1XL nymph/scud hook (e.g. TMC 2302 or 3761), 12-16
  • Thread Tan or olive-brown 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Bead (optional) Gold tungsten, 1.5-2mm (1)
  • Tail Speckled partridge or ostrich herl tips (small clump)
  • Abdomen Olive-brown/tan D-Rib or dubbing (1)
  • Rib Fine gold wire (1 strand)
  • Gills/thorax CDC + UV Ice Dub, light olive/tan (1 feather + pinch)
  • Wingcase Mottled Medallion sheeting or turkey (1 slip)

How to tie it

  1. Optionally slide a small gold bead to the eye, then start the thread and tie in a short speckled tail at the bend to suggest the swimming mayfly's tails.
  2. Tie in the rib, then build a slim tapered olive-brown abdomen (D-Rib or dubbing) to the 60% mark and counter-rib it for segmentation.
  3. Tie in the wingcase slip pointing back over the abdomen.
  4. Dub a fuller thorax mixing CDC fibers and UV Ice Dub so the loose CDC breathes like gills. Why: Callibaetis nymphs are active swimmers, and the mobile CDC fibers add lifelike gill movement.
  5. Pull the wingcase forward over the thorax, tie down behind the eye, and whip finish.

Tying videos

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