A basic pheasant tail style nymph is a staple in most anglers’ selection of confidence flies. The Hotwire CDC is an adaptation of the classic pheasant tail and gets its name from the copper and silver double wire wrap around the body and the CDC feather that forms the collar of the fly. Paired with a copper tungsten bead and tied on a jig hook, all of these ingredients add up to a fly that we never leave home without.

The Hot Wire can imitate a wide swath of insects, including midges and mayflies in smaller sizes, caddis, scuds, and even stoneflies in larger sizes. Because of its versatility, this fly is an excellent choice when fishing new water or when no obvious hatch is taking place. 

Our favorite ways to fish it: 

• Nymphed under an indicator as the point or bottom fly

• As the dropper during peak dry-dropper season

• Stripped or dead drifted under an indicator in stillwater lakes

Type of Water: Rivers, Creeks, Stillwater, High Alpine Lakes 

Imitates: Mayfly, Caddis, Midge, Chironomid, Scud, Damselfly

Target Species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout 

Insect Life Stage: Emerger

Pair it with: Little Leech—Weighted, H2 Flashback, Purple Reign, Chimera, Funky P, Lip Sticker, Ol’ Dirty Worm, QB Baetis, Crackleback Midge, Mountain Dew, Sparkle Softy—Unweighted, Simple Soft Hackle Emerger