Wet Flies
Black Spider
W.C. Stewart popularized this minimalist spider pattern in the 1850s, and it remains one of the most effective subsurface flies ever devised. Tied with nothing more than black silk and a sparse starling hackle, the Black Spider perfectly suggests a drowned midge, beetle, or emerging insect when swung across and down through riffles and pocket water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Black Spider should I use?
The Black Spider is most commonly tied in sizes #12–#18. Choose smaller sizes for clear water and pressured fish, and larger sizes for faster or off-color water.
What does a Black Spider imitate?
The Black Spider primarily imitates drowned midges, small beetles, emerging insects.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Wet Flies
- Sizes
- #12–#18
- Colors
- black
- Weight
- unweighted
- Hook Styles
- wet fly hook
- Imitates
- drowned midges, small beetles, emerging insects
- Water Types
- freestone rivers, riffles, runs
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutgrayling
Effective on These Rivers
Similar Patterns
Pattern Details
- Category
- Wet Flies
- Sizes
- #12–#18
- Colors
- black
- Weight
- unweighted
- Hook Styles
- wet fly hook
- Imitates
- drowned midges, small beetles, emerging insects
- Water Types
- freestone rivers, riffles, runs
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutgrayling