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Cap Spider Fly Tying Instructions

Cap Spider Fly Tying Instructions

fly fishing image by Brett Bouwer from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Created by Michael Verduin, the cap spider fly is a simple fly that is effective for catching many types of bottom-nesting fish out of both rivers and lakes. The fly uses a jig hook that sinks to the bottom of the water and attracts fish as it moves with the current. Use a long leader when fishing with the spider fly, and make small strips to move it along the waterbed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Black nail polish
  • Flat waxed thread
  • 1/100 oz. jig hook
  • Black ultra chenille
  • 2 strips of barred rubber leg material
  • Head cement
Step 1
Paint the jig with the black nail polish; allow time for it to dry.
Step 2
Wrap a thread base around the hook, starting 1/4-inch behind the jig and ending just before the bend. Wrap the thread back to the starting point.
Step 3
Wrap the body of the fly in an even layer of the black ultra chenille, starting from the bend in the hook and ending before the jig. Tie the chenille in place with the thread.
Step 4
Bend the two strips of rubber leg material in half and cut at the fold so you have four strands of rubber.
Step 5
Bundle the rubber strands together and press them against the chenille on the underside of the hook. Wrap the thread in a loose figure-eight pattern once between the legs without applying much pressure, then wrap the thread around four or five more times firmly in the same pattern. Tie the thread off.
Step 6
Perform a whip finish, and then apply the head cement to the thread at the front of the fly to keep the knots from slipping.

Tips & Warnings

 
Do not tie the thread too tightly around the rubber legs, or they will bend out of position.
 
Wrapping the thread between individual legs will spread them out to model the legs of a real spider.
 
Use olive- or chartreuse-colored chenille to experiment with catching different types of fish.

Article Written By Jacob Hendriks

Jacob Hendriks' work has appeared in "The Western Front," "The Planet Magazine" and Trails.com. He graduated from Western Washington University with a major in international business management and a minor in Community Health. Hendriks' passion for sports nutrition and fitness, combined with experience as a personal trainer, has led him to pursue health-oriented journalism.

Write for Trails.com

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