Fly Tying Inventory
Black and Peacock Spider
The Black and Peacock Spider is a classic trout wet fly that has been catching fish for generations. It is about as simple as a fly gets: a plump body of peacock herl and a few turns of soft black hen hackle. This version twists the herl around the thread before winding it, which makes the fragile herl body much more durable without changing how it looks. Tie it on Kamasan B170 or B175 hooks in sizes 8 to 16.
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Materials
Kamasan B170 (or B175), sizes 8-16
8-16
Peacock herl
Hen hackle, black
Black
Head varnish
How to Tie the Black and Peacock Spider
- 1
Step 1
Start the thread behind the eye and wrap back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a few peacock herls by their tips at the bend and bind them down.
- 3
Step 3
Twist the herls and the thread together into a single rope.
Twisting the herl with the thread makes the body far more durable than wrapping the herl on its own.
- 4
Step 4
Wind the herl rope forward to build a plump body, stopping a short way behind the eye. Tie it off and trim the excess herl.
- 5
Step 5
Prepare a black hen feather by stripping the fluff from the base, and tie it in by the tip in front of the body.
- 6
Step 6
Wind a few turns of the hackle, tie it off and trim the stem.
- 7
Step 7
Stroke the fibers back, form a small head, whip finish and add a drop of varnish.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76J0mOY3dGs
Credit: Martyn White