Tying a Rusty Spinner Fishing Fly

Two challenges are often cited when it comes to fishing and tying spinners. First, spinners are difficult to see on the water. Second, spinner bodies are quite slim. This pattern attempts to address both of those challenges. To improve visibility, palmer 2-3 turns of hackle through the thorax and then trim the bottom hackle flush with the thorax. This also works well for tricos. To create a slim body, use a material like Perdigon Body rather than dubbing. A stripped peacock quill would also work.

Tying Notes:

• Perdigon Body material is purposely translucent. Use a lighter or darker thread beneath the perdigon body material to achieve the color shade you’re after.
• If segmentation is important to you, try coloring a 1-2” segment of your thread with a black marker after you’ve tied in the body material and your thread is still near the bend of the hook. You can then palmer the thread forward as a rib and it will show through the body material.

Recipe:

• Hook: Dry fly hook, sizes 12-20. We like the Gamakatsu R18-B Barbless 2x Strong hook. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-GAMAR182X.html
• Thread: SEMPERFLI Nano Silk 30D (18/0), Copper or Brown. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-SNS18.html
• Tail: Cascade Crest Ultra Micro Fibbets, color of choice. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCMF.html
• Body: Raven and Wolf Perdigon Body, Rust. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWPB.html
• Rib: none, or black thread (see note below)
• Wing: UTC Antron Yarn, Dun or Copper Brow (https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-UTCAYS.html). An alternative is SemperFli Poly-Yarn, https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-SFPY.html
• Thorax: Raven and Wolf Micro Fine Dub, Mahogany. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWMFD.html
• Hackle: Brown