Badly tied spiders are common particularly among imported flies. The usual fault is that the hackle looks like a grass skirt - i.e. it is too full and swept back. It should be like the spokes of an umbrella. The reason is that in this attitude, it has a back-and-forward motion in the current, whereas the grass skirt just trails along.
Due to the increasing scarcity of traditional soft (game bird) hackles I have been obliged to increase many of the following prices.
Partridge & Orange
The traditional ‘North Country’ pattern has no thorax. But the thorax is a distinct feature of most insects so I prefer to provide one in the form of a little ball of Pheasant Tail behind the hackle. It is, of course, optional. Tell me if you don't want it.
List code SP 12 14 16 18 £0.90
Snipe & Purple
This pattern together with Partridge & Orange and Waterhen Bloa form the 'Big 3' of the North Country Spiders. I tie this one with a small grey feather herl thorax. The thorax can be omitted if you prefer.
List code SN 12 14 16 18 £0.90
See also the Snipe and Purple beadhead in the Beadheads section.
Hare's Ear & Plover
Tied with the traditional gold tag, this very successful fly is reminiscent of the Waterhen Bloa but richer in colour.
Sorry, no materials left for size 14 until firther notice.
List code SV 12 14 16 18 £1.20
Winter Brown
A needle fly representation. Woodcock under-wing covert, Pearsall’s orange body, peacock head
List code SB 12 14 16 18 £0.90
Waterhen Bloa
Now supplied with coot hackle Genuine waterhen (moorhen) available @ £2.00 each while stocks last
List code SH 12 14 16 £0.90
List code SHW 12 14 16 £2.00
Dark Moorgame
Tied according to Pritt (Pearsall’s silk, grouse hackle, small peacock head)
List code SA 12 14 16 18 £0.90
Dark Watchet
Another needle fly. Waterhen over-wing covert, Pearsall’s orange body with purple rib dubbed mole.
List code SD 12 14 16 £0.90
Woodcock & Hare’s Lug
Woodcock over-wing covert, Pearsall’s orange body dubbed hare’s ear
List code SW 12 14 16 18 £0.90
Black & Peacock
Includes a pearly tag to simulate an air bubble.
List code SK 14 16 £0.75
Greenwell spider
The wingless version of the immortal Greenwell's Glory
List code SG 12 14 £0.75
Spanish needle (light)
I find this to be the most aesthetically pleasing of the 'spiders'. The trout often like it, too.
Pearsall's red body, snipe underwing covert (very light colour), peacock head.
List code SL 12 14 16 18 £0.90
Soft hackle
An attractive but lesser-known pattern, could be viewed as an up-market Partridge & Orange.
In fact, is identical with an Irish version of the latter.
List code SS 12 14 £0.90
Corixa spider
As Trout & Salmon Oct 05.
Pearly body, orange thread head dubbed yellow.
List code SC 12 14 16 £0.90
White spider
Small and special.
List code ST 14 16 18 £0.75
Pearly spider (Dan Cahill)
A pearly body is a very useful addition to the range.
List code SR 12 14 16 18 £0.90
Stewart's Black Spider
An untidy looking spider with a strong reputation. Created by W. C. Stewart to represent terrestrial spiders.
Brown thread and starling hackle, tied so as to ensure the untidy appearance.
List code SE 14 16 18 £0.90
March Brown spider
The Edmonds & Lee version.
Use when there is a hatch of any large brown fly.
List code SM 12 14 £0.90
Snipe Bloa (Light Snipe)
As Edmonds & Lee,
Snipe underwing covert and primrose silk.
