flytying: the cdc parachute midge larva

Tying The CDC Parachute Midge Larva Pattern

Hook:Tiemco #2487 size#16-#24 (or any scud hook)
Thread:Rusty Dun 8/0
Body:Olive/Dun Goose Biot (from Stalcup Flies)
Hackle:2 Natural color CDC feathers, type 1
Wing:White poly yarn
Thorax:Olive Superfine dubbing

With the hook in the vise as shown, wind thread back well onto the bend.

Pull a biot from the stem and moisten it. Note:pulling it off the stem gives you more length to work with and also reveals the natural "notch" at the base. Make sure this "notch" is facing down when you tie it in and begin wrapping it.

Tie in the tip of the biot on the side of the hook shank facing you. Wind the thread forward and make one half-hitch knot to keep it from sliding towards the eye. Carefully make the first wrap of biot by hand as shown, this is so that you don’t twist the biot.

Now, grasp the butt end of the biot with your rotating hackle pliers and begin wrapping it forward. When you’re doing this, you’ll notice that there is a fuzzy rib on the leading edge of the biot that gets covered with each forward wrap.

When you’re nearing the end, you’ll be glad you have the extra length gained by pulling, rather than cutting the biot from the stem.

Tie off, and trim the butt end of the biot. Make several tight thread wraps.

Adjust the position of the hook so that the bare section of the hook is facing up. Align the stems of two type 1 CDC feathers as shown. Pinch the fluffy "marabou-like" fibers and pull them off.

Switching hands, stroke the fibers from "tip to butt" so that they are more perpendicular to the stem.

Holding the tips of the two feathers (still aligned) with your right hand, pinch the fibers on top and pull them from the stem.

Turn the feathers over, pull your pinched fingers apart slightly and insert the remaining fibers. Pinch them, and remove them from the stem as well.

I’m gingerly opening my fingers to show you what it should look like, this is a risky move done for demonstration only. (risky only because it could mean having to repeat the step…..)

Cut about a 2" length of poly yarn and separate it into about 4 equal strands. Stroke one of these tight, remove any fibers that don’t want to play nice and insert them between your fingers against the CDC.

CAREFULLY grab this bunch keeping the poly yarn on top and tie it onto the hook as shown.

Make a few "figure 8" wraps behind, and in front of the CDC/poly bunch.

It should now look like this, the CDC/poly bunch perpendicular to the hook shank. (note:photo is top view)

Stroke the whole CDC/poly bunch up and make a few horizontal wraps of thread. (like wrapping hackle on a parachute post) Now, dub the thorax of the fly as shown. Tie off, add a drop of diluted head cement to secure the knot.