A North Country Spider is a traditional fly fishing pattern that originated in Yorkshire, England. The first documented mention of a ‘Spider Fly’ appears in Samuel Taylor’s ‘Angling in all its Branches’ (1809), which described a pattern using a Woodcock hackle. However, the term gained prominence through W.C. Stewart’s ‘Practical Angler’ (1857), where he described three fly patterns shown to him by Ghillie James Baillie as being ‘spider-like’. These became known as Stewart’s Spiders and represented a distinct tying method that differed from the contemporary winged or ‘buzz’ hackled patterns.
Traditional North Country Spiders are characterized by their use of natural materials, including feathers from birds such as Woodcock, Snipe, Plover, Starling, Corvids, Raptors, Shorebirds, Songbirds, Grouses, and Partridges. The patterns also incorporate various dubbings made from herl, fur, woolens, mohair, camlet, and silk. While modern versions have evolved due to standardization of materials and hook designs, the fundamental characteristic of using natural materials remains constant.
The term “North Country Spiders” specifically refers to patterns developed for and originating from the Yorkshire region during a particular historical period. In contrast, “spider” serves as a broader term encompassing both traditional patterns and modern interpretations that follow similar design principles but may be adapted for different geographical locations. Similar patterns that don’t strictly adhere to North Country traditions are often referred to as “soft hackles.”
Modern interpretations of these flies became popularized by Malcolm Greenhaulgh, who advocated for the use of just two turns of hackle, though this sparse hackle approach is considered a contemporary adaptation rather than a historical characteristic.
« Back to Glossary Index