TDC

TDC

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Tying Instructions

1. Attach the strand of oval Silver Tinsel to the top of the hook shank about an eyelength behind the eye.

2. Secure the silver tinsel to the top of the shank with thread wraps ending a little beyond the curve of the hook.

3. Dub a thin abdomen with the beaver dubbing. Rabbit is also a good choice. Provide a gradual taper up to the thorax region.

4. Wrap the silver tinsel forward leaving a gap between wraps that is about the same distance as the dubbed body is thick. Trim off the tag end of the tinsel and secure with thread wraps.

5. Dub a thorax which is about 1.5 x’s the thickness as the abdomen. Leave enough space behind the eye for the gills and head.

6. Attach the ostrich herl just in front of the thorax.

7. Wrap the herl forward 4-5 wraps and secure the tag end. Wrap thread to cover the tag ends of the herl and create a small head. Whip Finish.

 

Materials to Order Material, click the link
Hook	TMC 9300 #12-18
Thread	Uni-thread Black 8/0
Head	Uni-thread Black 8/0
Body	Black Beaver Dubbing
Thorax	Black Beaver Dubbing
Gills	Natural Gray Ostrich Herl
Ribbing	Sm. Oval Silver Tinsel

Richard Thompson

The TDC (Thompson’s Delectable Chironomid) was developed by Richard B.Thompson in the late 1950’s. Richard was a Fishery Biologist for the State of Washington. Prior to this fly, Chironomid fly fishing within lakes was just not done. Richard developed techniques with this fly, such as utilizing an indicator for depth control and fishing the pattern off the bottom of the lake with a slow retrieve. He wrote an article , “Chironomids and Trout” that was published within the State of Washington’s Game Bulletin describing his TDC fly.

Slow Retrieve

Many tried using the Chironomid pattern but failed, due to their habit of using a fast retrieve. However, by the early 1960’s, his techniques caught on with other lake fly fishermen and a number of other Chironomid patterns were developed. His TDC pattern, using a dubbed body, remains highly effective and is the basis for many new variations.

Sierra Drifters patterns

During the 1990’s, a local guide service in Mammoth, Sierra Drifters, developed a series of chironomid pupas and emergers for Crowley Lake. These were variations of the TDC utilizing Superfine dubbing for the body, a beadhead, and wire ribbing. The guide, Tom Loe, would add a strand of Pearl Krystalflash to the end of the pattern for attraction and refer to the pattern as a Crystal Midge Pupa. By adding Turkey Biots behind the bead, these variations became known as his Gillie patterns. Many of these patterns have transformed into a thinly dubbed body with a krystalflash overbody and wire ribbing. No longer do they appear to be similar to the TDC but have become a pattern within it’s own. I have a webpage devoted to Sierra Drifter patterns.

Original Drifter’s Chironomid Emerger

Hook	TMC 200R #18-20
Thread	Uni-thread Gray 8/0
Head	Black Tungsten Bead
Body	Adams Gray Superfine
Thorax	Adams Gray Superfine
Gills	White Antron
Shuck	White Antron and Pearl Krystal Flash
Ribbing	Small Silver Wire and Pearl Wing N Flash

Original Drifter’s Gillie

Hook	TMC 200R #18-20
Thread	Uni-thread Gray 8/0
Head	Black Cyclop Bead
Body	Adams Gray Superfine
Thorax	Adams Gray Superfine
Wingpads	Blue Wing Olive Turkey Biots
Shuck	Pearl Krystal Flash
Ribbing	Small Silver Wire

Original Drifter’s Crystal Chironomid Pupa, Copper

Hook	TMC 200R #18-20
Thread	Uni-thread Gray 8/0
Head	Copper Tungsten Bead
Body	Adams Gray Superfine
Thorax	Adams Gray Superfine
Shuck	Pearl Krystal Flash
Ribbing	Small Copper Wire and Pearl Wing N Flash