Dry Flies
Rusty Spinner
A spent-wing spinner pattern that imitates the final stage of the mayfly lifecycle when egg-laying females collapse on the water surface. The flush-floating profile with outstretched poly yarn wings is essential during evening spinner falls, when trout sip spent mayflies with maddening selectivity in flat water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Rusty Spinner should I use?
The Rusty Spinner is most commonly tied in sizes #14–#20. Choose smaller sizes for clear water and pressured fish, and larger sizes for faster or off-color water.
What does a Rusty Spinner imitate?
The Rusty Spinner primarily imitates mayfly spinners, spent adults, PMD spinners, BWO spinners.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Dry Flies
- Sizes
- #14–#20
- Colors
- rusty brown, dark rusty, olive-brown
- Weight
- unweighted
- Hook Styles
- standard dry, light wire
- Imitates
- mayfly spinners, spent adults, PMD spinners, BWO spinners
- Water Types
- spring creeks, tailwaters, slow pools, eddies
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutcutthroat trout
Pattern Details
- Category
- Dry Flies
- Sizes
- #14–#20
- Colors
- rusty brown, dark rusty, olive-brown
- Weight
- unweighted
- Hook Styles
- standard dry, light wire
- Imitates
- mayfly spinners, spent adults, PMD spinners, BWO spinners
- Water Types
- spring creeks, tailwaters, slow pools, eddies
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutcutthroat trout