Overview

The CDC Ant Fly, designed by signature tyer Ken Shimazaki, is a minimalist masterpiece that delivers big results when trout are keyed in on terrestrials. Tied with sparse Cul de Canard (CDC) fibers, this pattern imitates the slim silhouette and subtle surface disturbance of a real ant struggling in the film. The natural sheen of CDC adds lifelike shimmer, while its buoyancy allows the fly to float delicately without creating unnatural drag—ideal for targeting wary trout in clear, calm water.

A white CDC wing enhances visibility for the angler without compromising the fly’s realism. This fly is especially effective during warm summer afternoons when ants are frequently blown onto the water from streamside vegetation. Whether you’re casting to picky risers on a spring creek or searching for surface feeders along a bank, the CDC Ant offers a low-profile, high-performance option that shines when subtlety matters most. It’s a refined take on a classic pattern, trusted by technical anglers everywhere.

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