Hi all, I've just started fishing rivers and I'm interested in north country spiders. Sounds sad but there is something quite romantic about tying patterns that are hundreds of years old and then fishing with them on the rivers they were invented for.

Anyway my question is when fishing them do you use a heavier fly on the point to get them down a bit? I don't mean a goldhead I mean just a spider tied on a heavier hook. If so, would it still work fishing upstream? I haven't yet fished with spiders so I just want to get some info between now and when I next get on the river.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Rob.

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie

Does my opinion count if I don't live in the 'North Country'?


I always put the biggest of the flies on the point. Every time I have tried them in conjuction with a nymph however, I have blanked on the spider....

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Thanks Dartmoor, I only have size 14 hooks but have 2 different types of spider hooks both different gauge wire - if I put the point fly on the heaviest gauge wire hook and the other 2 on the lighter gauge hooks should it fish correctly? Is this how it's generally done?

Thanks again, Rob.

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie

Now you are testing the limits of my knowledge I just stick them on and fish, I didn't know there was a correct way The only reason I put the larger fly to the point is a matter of leader dynamics; I want it to lead out to the front - not because i want it to sink.

I shall stand back now in deference to anyone who does it 'properly'








TBH mate - just give it a whirl, you'll catch fish

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Do you always fish them as a team?

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http://www.rutlandwaterflyfishers.co.uk/

Good point actually mate I should just get out and give it a go but I'm one of them who needs to know I'm doing things the 'correct' way.

Thanks for your help, Rob.

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie

Nope

one, two or three.

I was fishing a fairly unfished moorland stream the other evening with only snipe and purple and the fish were really hitting it hard. I normally find that one of the patterns on a team will favour the fish and not so much the others.

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Rob have a chat with this fella, Phil Bailey, he will put you right on all things spiders.
Little Book on How to Fish Traditional Hackled Flies
S.

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"A glint of sun has warmed the air,The flies will soon hatch out, To lure and tempt from their deep lair, The bonnie speckled trout." SKB tackle supporter. I love Furled Leaders.

Oddly enough, I only started to fish them because my mate (the bank sniffer) told me that they don't work here and that they never catch fish - despite the fact he had never tried them SO I fished nothing but spiders for about 6 days and my catch rate went through the roof

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Thanks Steve, I think I'll be buying his new book when it comes out

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Started: 19/09/2010 | First fish: 11/12/2010 | Biggest fish: 8lb Brownie