The Red Cardinal Wet Fly is a classic, highly visible wet-fly pattern that combines a rich red body with dark, mobile hackle to create an attractive searching pattern for trout and sea trout. Its bold colour makes it particularly useful when fish are looking for something with a little extra presence, while the movement of the hackle gives the fly plenty of life in the water.
A versatile pattern for rivers, lochs and stillwaters, the Red Cardinal can be fished on its own or as part of a team of wet flies. It is especially effective when conditions are slightly coloured, overcast or when you want a fly that stands out among more natural patterns.
Please note all of our fishing flies are barbless unless otherwise stated.
Red Cardinal Wet Fly Specification
Target Species - Trout / Sea Trout
Tail - Glo Bug Red
Body - Red Silk
Rib - Gold Line
Hackle - Cock Red Palmered
Head - Red Silk
Hook - Barbless, Mustad of Norway
How To Fish the Red Cardinal Wet Fly
Traditional Across & Down Presentation
Cast slightly downstream and across the current, allowing the fly to swing naturally through the water. As the line comes under gentle tension, the Red Cardinal moves across the current with the hackle pulsing in the flow. This lively movement can trigger aggressive takes from trout.
Natural Upstream Drift
In smoother water, cast upstream and allow the fly to drift naturally with the current. Keep your movements to a minimum and maintain enough contact to detect a take without dragging the fly. The combination of the red body and mobile hackle makes it an effective searching pattern when fish are feeding on a variety of small prey.
Fishing the Top Dropper
The Red Cardinal works particularly well on the top dropper of a team of wet flies. Fish the team with a slow retrieve or gradually lift into the hang, allowing the fly to rise towards the surface. The bright red body can attract the attention of fish from some distance and often encourages following trout to commit as the flies approach the surface.
