Fly Tying

For my beginner flies the Danica mayfly (specifically Ephemera danica) is one of the largest mayfly species and is often a prime food source for fish in rivers and streams during its hatch. These mayflies are usually present in the warmer months ( end of May till end of June and sometimes in Jully), with adult insects often emerging in the early morning or late evening. They are distinctive for their large size, translucent wings, and long tails. Their nymphs are found at the bottom of rivers and streams, but it’s the adult duns that are typically targeted by by us ( fly tiers and fly fishermen at the same time).

When I make my versions, especially the CDC dry fly version, I focus on capturing the distinctive features of the insect — particularly its large size, translucent wings, and slender body.

Here’s a step-by-step guide about how I tie it:

• Hook: I use a large dry fly hook, typically in sizes 10 to 12, depending on the size of the Danica hatch.
• Thread: Light yellow or yellow thread (such as tan or pale olive).
• Body: A CDC yellow dyed feather to match the Danica’s yellow body color.
• Hackle: 2 or 3 CDC feathers in yellow and natural gray fixed in dubbing loop. It love the additional buoyancy provided by these CDC barbs. l like their movement too, absolutely very nice and natural i
• Wing: Yellow Mallard barbs. You can use a single mallard dyed in yellow feather or a combination of natural and yellow to achieve a nice wing effect.
• Tail: Pheasant tail barbs ( from rooster), tied in a slightly longer length to represent the Danica’s long tails.
• Ribbing: I use brown waxed thread to imitate the body segmentation.

To fish the CDC Danica imitation:

• Presentation: Since the Danica mayfly often hovers on the surface and has a gentle landing, it’s important to cast your CDC imitation in a way that mimics this behavior. You want the fly to float naturally and avoid creating any ripples or disturbances in the water.
• Timing: Fish the fly during the peak Danica hatch periods, typically during the morning and evening when the mayflies are emerging or ovipositing.
• Drift: Aim for a dead drift, with the fly floating naturally in the current. If you see fish rising, gently drift your fly over them for the best chance at a strike.

Tying a CDC dry fly to imitate the Danica mayfly is a fantastic way to present a lifelike, realistic pattern to fish. The unique characteristics of CDC feathers—buoyancy, translucency, and movement—make them perfect for recreating the delicate nature of the Danica’s emergence. This fly can be a game-changer during the hatch, and its natural presentation makes it an excellent choice for selective fish in clear waters.

Cheers and happy tying!

And here is the emerger version, I will talk about it in the next few days: