Trout Fishing

I say “building” because that is what we do, shapes change thoraces and abdomens vary in size but their proportions are nearly always the same, as is the addition of legs or hackles, proportions rule.

Or do they?

The “Spider” patterns, especially those originating in Northern England sometimes are tied with hackles which to the human eye seem too long, but the fish love them! Obviously this gives a lot of leeway to the tyer, especially if they are new at the vice.

For my first foray I thought we would cover the basic patterns of spider, this week the Black and Peacock or B&P as it is often noted on catch returns. Its simple construction of three materials should be within the gift of any tyer with patience and it’s a really good pattern for late autumn / early winter fish. Tied on a long shank (4X) hook in larger sizes and tied “fat” it’s a useful caddis imitator in spring too.

Materials:

• Hook – I tie on Ceretus pattern CH71470 from Caimore in sizes 10 to 16, a medium heavy grub hook, as it has the proper swimming properties in still and flowing water. Traditional flies are tied on straight shanked hooks, an equivalent being the Kamasan B170, but they do not have the same appeal to the fish in my experience.
• Body – Bronze Peacock Herl – good quality stuff is available on the internet if you look hard enough
• Rib – Fine Silver Wire
• Hackle – Any “webby” Black Hackle – Genetic or Indian, the choice is yours, just make it soft as this pattern needs movement.
• Thread – Black 6/0 or 8/0 depending on hook size, the smaller the hook the bigger the number so 6/0 is good for size 8 – 12, 8/0 is ok for size 14 – 16 anything below that and you should be looking at 10/0.

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 1

Catch in the thread about a half millimetre behind the eye and wind in touching turns towards the bend of the hook, stop the thread between the barb and point.

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 2

Cut a length of ribbing material about 4” long then catch in the wire underneath the hook and bind down with thread to a position just behind the barb.

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 3

Catch in two lengths of peacock herl tips first, level with the starting point then bind down towards the eye with touching turns.

TIP – Select two herls of the same length then lay them parallel, tips together and nip off the first 12mm or half inch of the tips with your finger nails, it will help prevent them snapping as you perform the next step.

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 4

Wind the herls forward towards the eye in touching turns, slowly and gently as they can be fragile. Stop the body about 2mm behind the eye. Secure with three firm turns of thread. Remove excess herl.

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 5

Wind the rib forward in four firm but even turns in a counter direction to the herl. So, if you wound on the herl clockwise, wind the rib on counter clockwise to lock the herl to the shank. (It’s amazing how many folk don’t counter wind the rib then wonder why their fly has literally fallen apart after catching their first fish on it!) Secure the end of the rib by twisting the wire once around the tying thread then securely bind down the end of the rib. Always leave sufficient room for the hackle

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 6

Strip the waste off the stem of the hackle then tie in with the shiny side uppermost. Carefully apply two turns of hackle, stroking back the fibres as you go, ensure that the turns do not overlap.

Bring the thread through the second turn of hackle to behind the eye. Secure the hackle tip behind the eye with three firm turns of thread.

Black Spider Trout Fly Step 7

Remove the surplus hackle tip and form a small head, whip finish. Apply a drop of head cement and you are done.
Many purists would argue that this spider is way too long in the body, but on still waters it’s a killer, I have tied a shorter version for comparison below.

And You're Done!