Welcome to Fly Tying Tuesday
A modern twist on the classic pheasant tail nymph — perfect for trout in faster water.
Welcome back to Fly Tying Tuesday! This week, Kyle’s tying something special — the Jigged CDC PT Tungsten Hot Head, this fly is built for performance in fast-moving water. With a jig-style hook and a bright tungsten bead, it sinks quickly and rides point-up to avoid snags — ideal for Euro-nymphing. The CDC collar adds lifelike movement, while the pearlescent tinsel flashback gives it just the right amount of shine to trigger strikes.
Let’s Tie, see Kyle in action in the video!
Materials Used: (all available at AvidMax)
- Fulling Mill FM5045 Jig Force Barbless Hook – Size 12-16
- MFC Slotted Tungsten Beads – Orange 3.8mm
- UTC Ultra Thread – Black 70D
- UTC Ultra Wire – Copper Small
- Wapsi Ringneck Tail Feathers
- Hareline Pearlescent Flat Tinsel
- Wapsi Strung Peacock Herl
- Hareline CDC Feathers – Dark Dun
Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
Mount Bead & Hook: Slide the orange tungsten bead onto the jig hook and secure it in your vise.
Start the Thread: Begin wrapping your black UTC thread behind the bead and lay a smooth base.
Tie the Tail: Use 4–6 pheasant tail fibers, tied in at the bend about a hook-shank long.
Add Ribbing: Tie in a strand of copper Ultra Wire for segmentation.
Form the Body: Wrap 3–4 pheasant tail fibers forward to create the abdomen.
Rib the Body: Counter-wrap the wire in open turns and secure it.
Add Flashback: Tie in a strip of pearlescent tinsel on top for shine.
Build the Thorax: Wrap 2 strands of peacock herl behind the bead for a rich thorax.
Add CDC Collar: Wrap a dark dun CDC feather 2–3 turns behind the bead.
Finish: Pull tinsel over the thorax, whip finish, and add a drop of head cement.
How to Fish It
- Use smaller beads (3.3mm or 3.0mm) for size 14–16 hooks.
- Brown or natural CDC gives a more subtle presentation.
- Fish on a Euro-nymph rig — the jig hook rides point-up to avoid snags.
Check out some of our favorite Fly Tying Gear:
- Vise – Dynaking Barracuda Deluxe Pedestal Vise
- Scissors – Kopter ABSOLUTE Blade Micro Serrated Edge Thin Point
- Bodkin – Dr. Slick Jumbo Carbon Fiber Bodkin
- Whip Finisher – Tiemco Midge Whip Finisher
- Tool Kit – Umpqua Dream Stream Plus 7 Piece Fly Tying Tool Kit
