Knudson’s Spider – variant

Other

Tied By Joe Glessner

Hook: Mustad Streamer Hook, 9672, 2XH, 4XL, Down Eye, Size 6

Thread: Uni 6/0 yellow

Materials-

tail: 10-12 Mallard Flank Feathers, Natural

rib: Semperfli Silver Mylar Tinsel, Large

body: Hareline Fly Fish Food’s Bruiser Blend dubbing, Butter Belly

front hackle: Mallard Flank Feathers, Natural, tied long

Notes:

The pattern for this fly, came from the book by Les JohnsonFly-Fishing Coastal Cutthroat, Flies, Techniques, Conservation.

In this book he writes that the fly was originally  called the Wet Spider in the 1930’s. It has since become a favorite of all Sea-Run Cutthroat fly fishers.

Originally tied with a black chenille body, Johnson also tied a variant with yellow chenille, both with and without the optional tinsel rib.

This particular variant was tied at the request of a friend of mine who was sourcing these from his local fly shop, but the unknown tyer has since retired and I produced this from one of his two surviving samples.

Instructions:

• Attach thread two eye widths behind the hook eye, creating an index point.
• Attach optional tinsel rib and move the thread rearward to the bend of the hook using touching wraps.
• Strip 10-12 barbs from a mallard flank feather and tie on to the top of the hook with shiny side down (tail should bend up rather than down), leaving the tail about 1.5-2 times the hook gap in length.
• Create a dubbing loop and wrap thread forward to the index point.
• Add dubbing to the dubbing loop, spinning tightly, and wrap forward to the index point in tight touching turns keeping the body as neat as possible. This dubbing has a longer staple length so use less than you think you’ll need. Tie off and snip free the excess.
• Wrap the tinsel to the index point in evenly spaced open spirals. Tie off and snip free the excess.
• Strip the fluff from a long Mallard flank feather and tie in by the tip. Palmer forward in tight turns, sweeping fibers toward the rear of the hook to prevent any being trapped facing forward, leaving enough room for a small thread head.
• Build a small thread head, and whip finish, wrapping back over the hackle slightly to sweep it rearward.
• Finish with head cement for durability.