The Davie spider got me two lovely rainbows in some difficult conditions a few evenings ago . I fished it on the dropper with a ptn on the point , slow figure of 8. Made a very quiet summers evening good sport . Thanks for sharing it with us .
Hi Davie, I tried the Stewart's Black Spider yesterday and caught a trout on my first cast! Tried the Davie's Spider today and caught a 40 cm brownie! Great channel, I've been tying flies for a long time but I learn a lot from your videos, thank you for sharing the knowledge! Best regards, Nicolas.
Hi Nicolas, It's great to hear that you have tyed and gave these flies a go, and that they have fished well for you, so thank you very much for letting me know as it means a lot to me..Well done... All the very best Davie
Absolutely brilliant! I’ve used thread to anchor peacock swords into the body wraps but never thought to use it to wrap a hackle from stern to bow. I use dubbing loops all the time for collars and body dubbing. I love the technique and now I have another arrow in the quiver. This was great. As far as using the the last wraps of your spider and using the same feather you used for wings....excellent. I’ll be looking for ways to incorporate these techniques into my tying as well as putting a few of these patterns in the ole box. Thank you!
A simply ingenious method of tying the Stewart's Spider pattern from my perspective as a commercial soft-hackle wet fly tier. Godspeed Davie and thank you - Michael Brucato
I find that varnishing after I’ve tied off is better as brushing back coats the hackle with wax holding it in place another great video Davie unfortunately a heart attack this week has landed me in crosshouse so I imagine you on the Ayr wishing for better days and a good hatch
Hi Jim, I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell so I hope you will be up and about very soon..I've been down the river three times but the river was up every time with nothing happening so hopeful the weather will settle down a bit so I can get fishing and filming.. All the very best Davie
Just wanted to check out how you do it I like that style tying a couple of these up hitting the river tomorrow and There is small black stones on the water size 16 so I figured a tie up some spiders thank you again I appreciate you doing this hope you’re well and doing good
Sort of a Glanrho's wing but tied in reverse? Nice! One of my bigger fishing-related regrets is not having payed better attention to Sylvester Nemes much earlier on. He tried to teach us Yanks (and he told me directly, more's the pity) about the effectiveness of soft hackles. Young and dumb I was at the time. Amazingly effective.
Davie's spider tied on a size 18 hook is the best fly this summer! I caught a lot of fish with it and many differet species. Thanks Davie! p.s. Looking forward to see more videos on wet flies
Hello Davie, When I first came across Stewart's spiders (the black first, then the other two later), I noticed the Dun Spider not listing a tying thread color. Over the years I occasionally ran into other discussions of Stewart's spiders and always found the author saying no one knew what color thread Stewart had used for the Dun Spider. Even though, many chose to tie it with primrose silk. I've recently read G.E.M. Skues' books... got a copy of a combined reprint in 1979 of "Nymph Fishing..." and "Minor Tactics..." (3rd Ed.). There is mention in "Minor Tactics...", Chapt. 5... sub-section "On the Wet Fly in pools, bays, and eddies"... 4th paragraph, of using "...a tiny dotterel hackle tyed with primrose tying silk in the true Stewart style, not with the fibers radiating from the head, but palmer wise for halfway down the body". This line is also in the first edition of "Minor Tactics" on page 43 -- 1910 (book available free online from numerous sources). I don't have a way to know but I feel Skues might have been a person who would have been likely to know exactly how Stewart tied the Dun Spider. From your reading, Davie, do you think it's likely the unnamed tying silk is primrose? ----------------------------------------------- A side issue, but directly related... Stewart, in "Practical Angler" lists "yellow" as the tying silk with the Red Spider. It seems many today see yellow and equate it to primrose yellow. Is that a logical conclusion in your view, Davie? Did folks generally not tie with a closer to true yellow silk? Mike
Hi Davie, nice and elegant tying! Everything is done for a reason. Could you let me know which feathers do you use in your spider and where can I find them? All the best Marco
David Dowery from the fly box tied me a few of these Stewart spiders. I believe a man from Scotland designed it in 1850 or so. I deadly fly. I’m a big fan of spiders, a lot of anglers don’t use them cause they don’t look like much, but there completely deadly on the dropper they haven’t been off my leader this season
I like spider flys but getting starling feathers and others such as waterhen for example is becoming difficult can you recommend alternate feathers may be a video on the subject would be very welcome.
Hi Davie Great looking flies becareful you are going to spoil us the viewers to two flies a video.. The are both gret ties I will have to ty some up and go chase the panfish with them.. Would love to try them out on trout but we dont have any arround. I am sure the ones they let loose are long gone by now... But I do alittle fishing around there still hope to get one if I can... Thank for the Great Videos Chance
Davie, I'm going to have a session on the vice tomorrow and I'll definitely tie a few of both the spiders. I'm into wet flies on the basis trout eat mostly below watr food, and my casting isn't that good for dries!
Davie my friend, these have to be two of the easiest wet flies to tie.. I'll have to give the a try and send you photos of my efforts to you via Facebook!! Thanks Davie...
Hi Davie, Great video as ever - looking forward to tying my first black spider.. I'm not sure whether to buy a complete starling skin, or just a bag of Starling hackles. Is it only the body feathers that are really useful for spiders? What would you suggest? Keep up the good work (and write a book or two!) Steve
Hi Steve, I would buy the whole skin as you'll get feathers to match much easier and it's far better value in my view, they are very simple flies but a joy to tye and I'm glad you liked them... All the very best Davie...
Hi sem1ot1c, I bought a large spool of flat tinsel from Veniards a wholesale company many years ago but it is now unavailable Largartun were the only company I knew that sold it so I don't know of any other..The mylar is not as strong but it would do, if you want to protect it a bit more coat the body with a fine varnish...I wish I could be of more help to you.. All the very best Davie..
Davie McPhail Thanks Davie, my 40 year old Veniard tinsel ran out long ago...ah well mylar and super glue it is! Thanks for all the videos, keep up the good work.
Hello Davie, I've been wondering if you tie Stewart's Red and Dun spiders, and if you do, what hackles you might use as substitutes for the feathers that are now quite hard to get? Mike
Hi Mike, I have substituted most of the feathers on flies like these for as you said they are not available or easy to find..Waterrail is a light brown /ginger so I would use a Hen Mallard or even Snipe which can be quite light in colour..It would also be worth looking at some hen necks as you can get some nice colours from them as well... All the very best Davie
Hi Dewi Jones, You could easily tye these patterns different colours, I would try black, olive, grey and brown to start with as you'll not go too far wrong with them... All the very best Davie
Hi Ian, Two things I do when using these fine hackles is to use a small and light pair of hackle pliers which is the one you will see me using on all my videos, I'll also wind the hackles with my hands as you will get a better feel for the tension that you are using...I do get capes that can be a bit dry and brittle so I'll wash and the soak it in a hair conditioner which can soften the hackles and bring them back to being a little better but I'll only do this if the cape is worth doing..I hope this is of some help to you.. All the very best Davie..
Hi Zara, Yes it would be a good imitation for a small caddis, it's a lovely wee fly and I had a good day last year on it when there was a few small caddis on the water... All the very best Davie
The Davie spider got me two lovely rainbows in some difficult conditions a few evenings ago . I fished it on the dropper with a ptn on the point , slow figure of 8. Made a very quiet summers evening good sport . Thanks for sharing it with us .
Hi Davie,
I tried the Stewart's Black Spider yesterday and caught a trout on my first cast! Tried the Davie's Spider today and caught a 40 cm brownie! Great channel, I've been tying flies for a long time but I learn a lot from your videos, thank you for sharing the knowledge!
Best regards,
Nicolas.
Hi Nicolas,
It's great to hear that you have tyed and gave these flies a go, and that they have fished well for you, so thank you very much for letting me know as it means a lot to me..Well done...
All the very best Davie
Absolutely brilliant! I’ve used thread to anchor peacock swords into the body wraps but never thought to use it to wrap a hackle from stern to bow. I use dubbing loops all the time for collars and body dubbing. I love the technique and now I have another arrow in the quiver. This was great. As far as using the the last wraps of your spider and using the same feather you used for wings....excellent. I’ll be looking for ways to incorporate these techniques into my tying as well as putting a few of these patterns in the ole box. Thank you!
A simply ingenious method of tying the Stewart's Spider pattern from my perspective as a commercial soft-hackle wet fly tier. Godspeed Davie and thank you - Michael Brucato
So efficient, one of the best ties I’ve seen.
I find that varnishing after I’ve tied off is better as brushing back coats the hackle with wax holding it in place another great video Davie unfortunately a heart attack this week has landed me in crosshouse so I imagine you on the Ayr wishing for better days and a good hatch
Hi Jim,
I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell so I hope you will be up and about very soon..I've been down the river three times but the river was up every time with nothing happening so hopeful the weather will settle down a bit so I can get fishing and filming..
All the very best Davie
Just wanted to check out how you do it I like that style tying a couple of these up hitting the river tomorrow and There is small black stones on the water size 16 so I figured a tie up some spiders thank you again I appreciate you doing this hope you’re well and doing good
I love these two flies they would catch fish anywhere,these two flies are my go to flies when fishing gets tough or in strange area
nice pair of flys there Davie, cheers!
all the best,
James
Sort of a Glanrho's wing but tied in reverse? Nice! One of my bigger fishing-related regrets is not having payed better attention to Sylvester Nemes much earlier on. He tried to teach us Yanks (and he told me directly, more's the pity) about the effectiveness of soft hackles. Young and dumb I was at the time. Amazingly effective.
Davie's spider tied on a size 18 hook is the best fly this summer! I caught a lot of fish with it and many differet species.
Thanks Davie!
p.s. Looking forward to see more videos on wet flies
Miroslav, what do you think. What kind of hook was it?
You make it look so easy, I wish I had your skill at the vice.
Thank you very much❤
weee, a double episode...sweet, thx davie nice as always
Hello Davie,
When I first came across Stewart's spiders (the black first, then the other two later), I noticed the Dun Spider not listing a tying thread color. Over the years I occasionally ran into other discussions of Stewart's spiders and always found the author saying no one knew what color thread Stewart had used for the Dun Spider. Even though, many chose to tie it with primrose silk.
I've recently read G.E.M. Skues' books... got a copy of a combined reprint in 1979 of "Nymph Fishing..." and "Minor Tactics..." (3rd Ed.). There is mention in "Minor Tactics...", Chapt. 5... sub-section "On the Wet Fly in pools, bays, and eddies"... 4th paragraph, of using "...a tiny dotterel hackle tyed with primrose tying silk in the true Stewart style, not with the fibers radiating from the head, but palmer wise for halfway down the body". This line is also in the first edition of "Minor Tactics" on page 43 -- 1910 (book available free online from numerous sources). I don't have a way to know but I feel Skues might have been a person who would have been likely to know exactly how Stewart tied the Dun Spider.
From your reading, Davie, do you think it's likely the unnamed tying silk is primrose?
-----------------------------------------------
A side issue, but directly related... Stewart, in "Practical Angler" lists "yellow" as the tying silk with the Red Spider. It seems many today see yellow and equate it to primrose yellow. Is that a logical conclusion in your view, Davie? Did folks generally not tie with a closer to true yellow silk?
Mike
Lovely fly - the Davie's Spider...... I will put some of these in my box, thanks Davie.
perfect
Hi Davie, nice and elegant tying! Everything is done for a reason.
Could you let me know which feathers do you use in your spider and where can I find them?
All the best
Marco
David Dowery from the fly box tied me a few of these Stewart spiders. I believe a man from Scotland designed it in 1850 or so. I deadly fly. I’m a big fan of spiders, a lot of anglers don’t use them cause they don’t look like much, but there completely deadly on the dropper they haven’t been off my leader this season
I like spider flys but getting starling feathers and others such as waterhen for example is becoming difficult can you recommend alternate feathers may be a video on the subject would be very welcome.
Finally have some use for my starling skin
Great flies davie as always. Can you tell me what type of wax you use and where you get it from. Keep up the good work
Очень технологичные мушки!!!!!
Hi Davie
Great looking flies becareful you are going to spoil us the viewers to two flies a video..
The are both gret ties I will have to ty some up and go chase the panfish with them.. Would love to try them out on trout but we dont have any arround. I am sure the ones they let loose are long gone by now... But I do alittle fishing around there still hope to get one if I can...
Thank for the Great Videos
Chance
Davie, I'm going to have a session on the vice tomorrow and I'll definitely tie a few of both the spiders. I'm into wet flies on the basis trout eat mostly below watr food, and my casting isn't that good for dries!
Hi Davie Great fly.... as always!
Where can I find where to get the traditional method of tying the Stewarts?
Thanks once again
LoveToSpey
@DavieMcPhail
Hi Davie, thank you very much!
I greatly appreciate your kindness.
All the best from Italy
Marco
The spider was great
merci
hi dave two lovely flys. dave would you tie the alder dry fly thanks dave
Davie my friend, these have to be two of the easiest wet flies to tie.. I'll have to give the a try and send you photos of my efforts to you via Facebook!! Thanks Davie...
Hi Davie,
I was wondering if I could get the link to the wax you use?
Thanks
is that the ayr you are fishing or somwhere else davie ,,,oh and this is a fv fly of mine as it covers so much life on the water .
Hi Davie,
Great video as ever - looking forward to tying my first black spider..
I'm not sure whether to buy a complete starling skin, or just a bag of Starling hackles. Is it only the body feathers that are really useful for spiders? What would you suggest?
Keep up the good work (and write a book or two!)
Steve
Hi Steve,
I would buy the whole skin as you'll get feathers to match much easier and it's far better value in my view, they are very simple flies but a joy to tye and I'm glad you liked them...
All the very best Davie...
Great, cheers Davie
Hi Davie, is that the tay you are fishing there? i recognise the tree stump in the water lol
Cheers
Martin
Garix51, did you watch the video? He showed the starling skin three times! You buy them anywhere.
Davie, beauty, looks just like a black caddis.
Simple ways to do difficult things.
Hi Sbleiler,
Sorry but I am Italian and I do not understand spoken English very well.
Thank you for the information
Marco
Lagartun flat tinsel seems to be unavailable now. Any suggestions for a substitute brand or are we stuck with Mylar etc now?
Hi sem1ot1c,
I bought a large spool of flat tinsel from Veniards a wholesale company many years ago but it is now unavailable Largartun were the only company I knew that sold it so I don't know of any other..The mylar is not as strong but it would do, if you want to protect it a bit more coat the body with a fine varnish...I wish I could be of more help to you..
All the very best Davie..
Davie McPhail Thanks Davie, my 40 year old Veniard tinsel ran out long ago...ah well mylar and super glue it is! Thanks for all the videos, keep up the good work.
Davie my friend,
Hello Davie,
I've been wondering if you tie Stewart's Red and Dun spiders, and if you do, what hackles you might use as substitutes for the feathers that are now quite hard to get?
Mike
Hi Mike,
I have substituted most of the feathers on flies like these for as you said they are not available or easy to find..Waterrail is a light brown /ginger so I would use a Hen Mallard or even Snipe which can be quite light in colour..It would also be worth looking at some hen necks as you can get some nice colours from them as well...
All the very best Davie
Thank you, Davie. I appreciate your help.
Mike
Can these flies be tied in various colours and wings, what colour variations and wing hackles would you suggest please?
Hi Dewi Jones,
You could easily tye these patterns different colours, I would try black, olive, grey and brown to start with as you'll not go too far wrong with them...
All the very best Davie
Thank you. Do you have to use Starling though? Did you see my attempt on a Greenwell's Buzzer?
Hiya Davie,Finding it hard to stop my hen hackle feathers from breaking when I'm tying size 14,16 spiders 🕷could you recommend a supplier
Hi Ian,
Two things I do when using these fine hackles is to use a small and light pair of hackle pliers which is the one you will see me using on all my videos, I'll also wind the hackles with my hands as you will get a better feel for the tension that you are using...I do get capes that can be a bit dry and brittle so I'll wash and the soak it in a hair conditioner which can soften the hackles and bring them back to being a little better but I'll only do this if the cape is worth doing..I hope this is of some help to you..
All the very best Davie..
Would the Davie’s Spider be a good caddis imitation?
Hi Zara,
Yes it would be a good imitation for a small caddis, it's a lovely wee fly and I had a good day last year on it when there was a few small caddis on the water...
All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail The Davie’s Spider is quickly becoming one my favorites. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
Top man davie a stuck ie.