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Technically the term 'spinner' refers to that stage in a Dun's life cycle when it has moved off the water or, vegetation etc. after drying its wings. The adult or imago of all Mayflies, Caddis flies and Midges can technically be regarded as spinners.

Having said that the term is generally used only in the context of referring to a small number of Mayflies including Black, Red and Orange Spinners when they are both on the water and in the air. The following Spinner is a generic representation for members of the “Leptophlebiidae” family of Mayflies and the various Highland Duns & Spinners, which are members of the “Oniscigastridae” family. Hatches generally occurs between the months of October and March.

If you have a look at Lepto' Duns and Highland Duns there are fundamentals of shape and form that are common and are captured by this pattern. Lepto' Duns and Highland Duns present in a range of colours including olive through to brown, charcoal and greys and shades of ginger, red and burgundy. As well as the obvious Black, Red and Orange Spinners I also tie a Blue Spinners all in size #12.

Materials

Process

A	Wind the thread in touching turns to the bend of the hook. Understanding hooks Build up a small ball of thread at the bend of the hook.

B	Tie in a tail of long hackle or fur fibres so that it finishes at least as long as the hook shank and so that it is equally divided each side of the ball of thread. Lock the two separated elements of the tail into place with a figure of eight wrap of thread over the small ball of thread. Divided hackle tails Wind the thread forward two thirds of the distance along the hook shank building up a cigar shaped body. At the two thirds position tie in the hackle. Dry fly hackle Wind the thread forward to just behind the eye of the hook.

C	Wind the hackle forward in touching turns and then tie it off just behind the eye of the hook. Trim the excess hackle and then build up a neat head of thread. Neat heads Whip finish and varnish the head.

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