The FL. CDL Nymph Pattern – A Colorado Water Fly Fishing all Around Effective Nymph!

This is one of the few patterns I call and claim as my own. It is also the first to be posted to this blog. The FL. CDL Nymph fly has been evolving for the last few years secretly in my mayfly nymph box. The version I tie now is a solid option year-round on all the Colorado water I fish on the regular.

Gallery of Brady Laehr's Fluorescent CDL Nymph Pattern Fluor Orange. displayed on cork of g loomis fly rod — Profile of Fluor. Orange

It is a lightweight natural imitation that really “shines”. The Florescent thread under the CDL body creates a very lifelike translucent blaze. I vary this pattern using the Veevus Fluorescent Threads: Fl. Yellow Chartreuse (A14) Fl. Orange (A15) and Fl. Green (A16). I typically tie this pattern using the Medium Pardo CDL, but will also use Ginger Pardo for a lighter option.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

A close-up image of a hook placed in a vice, ready for tying a fly.

A close-up of Veevus fluorescent orange thread on a spool with a fishing hook in the foreground, showcasing the beginning of the fly tying process.

Start your fluorescent thread on the hook shank with locking wraps. This pattern is tied on a scud-style hook. The hook shown here is the Tiemco 2488H. An excellent heavy wire hook. The thread is a Fl. Orange Veevus.

A close-up image showing a fly-tying process, featuring a hook and orange thread with Coq De Leon fibers ready to be tied.

A person holding a pair of scissors, preparing to tie materials onto a hook for fly tying, with strands of Coq De Leon fibers and fluorescent thread visible.

Clip a small bundle (about 7) of Coq De Leon fibers from a feather. Make sure to keep the tips aligned. Stack them if necessary. Measure a tail the length of the hook shank and tie it in place. Sneak one wrap underneath the tail to avoid any slippage when fishing. Do not cut the excess material, as we will use it for the body portion. Leave the thread hanging as far to the rear as possible. This will help with the starting point in the next step.

A close-up image showing the process of tying a fly with an orange thread on a hook, held with pliers. The background features a blue surface, emphasizing the focus on the fly tying technique.

Close-up of a fly-tying setup with an orange thread wrapped around the hook shank, preparing to create a fly pattern.

Pull the excess material left after tying in the tail reward. Wrap over the top, securing it back on the hook, and progress your thread toward the eye. Begin wrapping the CDL material forward. Allow the material to lie flat and maintain loosely touching wraps. We want to allow the thread to show through on the finished fly so the FL. thread can still “pop” when activated by UV light.

Close-up of a hook being tied with orange thread and CDL fibers for a fly pattern.

A close-up image of a person tying a fishing fly, showing the hook and thread with some fibers and dubbing at the front.

Dub a tight noodle of SLF dubbing and wrap a neat thorax over top of the CDL. Fold the entire bundle of CDL over the dubbed thorax. Use only a couple of wraps on top. Then use two wraps under to lightly secure the CDL bundle behind the hook eye.

Close-up of a tied fly showing a scud hook with Coq De Leon fibers and fluorescent orange thread.

A close-up image of a handmade fly fishing lure, the Fl. CDL Nymph, being held with pliers. The fly features a fluorescent orange thread, Coq De Leon fibers, and a scud style hook.

Using the butt ends of the material left over from the thorax backing, split it in half and pull to either side. This material becomes the legs of the bug. When wrapping, manipulate the material to keep it on either side. This can take some finessing. Whip finish and trim the legs to length. I will vary this and sometimes reach a long way past the thorax, while other times clipping them short. These can also be adjusted riverside if left long.

A close-up view of a tied fishing fly, showcasing a fluorescent orange thread and Coq de Leon fibers, positioned on a vise against a blue background.

Close-up of a person holding a scud-style hook with a tied fly resembling a mayfly nymph, featuring an orange thread and CDL fibers.

Secure the finished fly with some glue or head cement. I always coat the collar and then recommend adding a small amount beneath the tail. The CDL material is slick and can slide down the hook bend if you skip this step, even with the thread wrap recommended in the tail-tying section above.

Recipe:

Size Range – 16-20
Hook – 2488H
Thread – Veevus FL Orange (Classic Orange), FL Green (BWO), and FL Yellow Chartreuse (PMD)
Tail – CDL Medium Pardo
Abdomen – CDL wrapped similar to a Pheasant Tail.
Thorax – SLF Squirrel Dubbing Rust (Classic Orange), Golden Olive (BWO), Bleached Ginger (PMD). Backed with CDL fibers.Legs – Butt ends of CDL fibers used for backing