Tying The Electric Spider 06Jun19

 I'm using more soft hackled flies, especially now that runoff is in full swing and rivers are high. Other than a pretty mellow pheasant tail variety, I've settled in on an "electric spider" I tie with floss, ice thorax and partridge. I tie it in classic orange, chartreuse (spring caddis), and purple (spring BWO). 

Recipe...

• Hook: #15-#17 TMC 102Y Black
• Thread: Brown UTC Ultra Thread 70
• Body: UTC Uni-Floss (burnt orange, green, purple)
• Thorax: Ice Dub (brown-olive, caddis green, UV black)
• Wing/Legs: Hungarian partridge feather

Hook in vise; bind on thread; tie in floss to bend;
return thread to 2/3 front

Wrap floss forward to 2/3 point; keep tight
and thin

Dub on ice in noodle for a smallish thorax

Wrap thorax leaving 3/32" between eye
and thorax

Select barred partridge feature and trim off
fluff leaving rib exposed; feather barbules
should be length of hook

Bind on partridge with back of feather facing
backwards and perpendicular to hook
[kindof hard to see orientation here]

Wrap on partridge 1.5-2 turns using hackle
pliers; grab rib of feather with pliers and take
care as they are weak; keep hackle sparse;
tie in then brush barbules back and whip finish

One might use these on the Tomahawk section of the Middle Fork of So Platte during higher flows as shown here. This is not a tailwater fly and is fished 45° up to 45° down or even straight beneath you. The hackles will swish & sway and drive fish nuts and the ice thorax will make them even more noticeable.