MARC PETITJEAN
Marc Petitjean, keen fisherman and entrepreneur, comes from a long line of inventors, and, not surprisingly has put his genes into use to improve the lot of the common fly fisher. A particularly astute and focused thinker he has taken Cul de Canard from a basic winging material in Dry Flies to their present day usage in making tails, bodies, hackles etc of nymphs, emergers, Salmon and even Saltwater Bonefish Flies. In doing so he burnt a pioneer's trail through modern thinking
Furthermore, in seeking the perfect fly vest, travel vise, leader material he has put his own ideas into practice and manufactured items that have won him international acclaim, not least in the American marketplace where it is not easy for European companies to succeed.
Needless to state he is also a pretty good fly fisherman of not inconsiderable international practical experience and he exhibits at shows and seminars regularly throughout Europe and the Americas.
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BACKGROUND HISTORY
To quote Malcolm Greenhalgh in his excellent book: 'The Fly Fisher's Handbook' (written by M.G. and most exquisitely illustrated by Denys Ovenden):"Marc Petitjean, of Fribourg in Switzerland, has developed a series of CDC flies that can be used to imitate all the commonest European natural surface flies. many anglers, throughout Europe, now fish his patterns exclusively. They are that good !"
These few words, written by a fly tying journalist of note, in a book that singularly devotes a section to one fly tyer only (and with mention of his flies throughout) are of the most high praise indeed.
In 1999, Marc came across on the first of many exhibiting visits to the UK attending Chatsworth Angling Fair, CLA Game Fair and a series of fly tying seminars instructing in his charming style. In doing so he showed why the use of quality CDC makes such good sense not only on the surface, but also sub-surface, and for many species of fish.
Cul De Canard - CDC - Croupion de Canard
All the above refer to those feathers found on Duck around their preen gland. CDC feathers are impregnated with water-repellent oil which makes them float indefinitely, are made up of fibres fringed with miniscule twisted barbules which trap air (aids flotation and underwater deception alike), are very light, and, amazingly extremely strong also.
Dry flies made totally from CDC will float for a long time. Do not apply normal water repellent oils as these can impair performance. The fibres re so strong that each fly is capable of catching many fish without being replaced. A build up of fish mucous through numerous hook-ups can sink the fly. To avoid this, regularly wash out build up of slime and dirt by pulling the sunken fly vigorously through the water, then either squeeze out the surface moisture and then blow on it for a few seconds or simply false cast a few times.
Dyed CDC has an impaired reputation in the UK because those dyeing it used regular hot dyeing procedures which firstly took away all the natural oils and secondly destroyed the structure of twisted barbules by matting them together when the dyed product was being infused with CDC oil.
Marc Petitjean's dyeing process has succeeded so well that many different species of fly can be emulated. In developing his range of MP Flies Marc has sought to match the natural in body length, shape and colour. He seeks to trick the fish by being suggestive, and he is very succesful in doing so both on river and stillwater, on surface and below.
As an example of the latter is........ the Salmon Fly. CDC does not collapse like Marabou does in fast flowing water but vibrates, equally in slow dub-like sections of pools it will pulstae when Arctic Fox has long lost any movement at all. Naturally therefore it makes perfect material for use in Summer and Low water flies.
On every occasion during these last two years Marc has been invited by British fly fishing press to show his thinking in practice. On these occasions, he has fearlessly sat down and tied CDC copies of the expected 'hatch' (this general term includes Pike Flies too !!) and, without being egotistical, has courageously and humbly put his reputation on the line and fished these emulations ....... very successfully indeed and to the surprise of those onlookers attending !!
Unfortunately, due to the unfortunate disruptions to the countryside sports diary resulting from Foot & Mouth disease Marc may not be able to visit this year. But look out in the next few issues of fly fishing press and you will see articles generated from his trips here in 2000 and also a general and growing awareness of changes in the use of CDC away from the natural colours used purely as winging material towards its use for bodies and also for Salmon Flies.
Products available in the UK include the following:
MP Vise - Reviewed in Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine, Jan-Feb Issue 2002 - Following this review, stocks have dwindled fast - A few are still available - please contact for stockists.
MP Flies
MP Fly Boxes
MP CDC feathers come ready packed in small packs of 20ea, 1x gram and 5x gram costing respectively and are available in the following colours:
Amadou Patches
Kevlar Leaders
Leader Floatant
MPVest
This section of site will be up-dated in the near- future, so watch this space.
