The foam spider is my go-to pattern for bluegills. If I was limited to one fly for panfish, the chartreuse spider would be my choice. Earlier this year in June when the bluegills were in the shallows, this fly accounted for close to 150 fish for a friend and I during one memorable evening. It is super quick and easy to tie, as well as very durable. Chartreuse has worked the best for me, but white, black, and yellow will work as well.
Materials:
- Hook: Mustad R50-94840 or TMC 101 Dry Fly Hook, size 14
- Foam: Chartreuse 2mm fly foam
- Legs: Chartreuse rubber legs small – medium
- Thread: Green 6/0 thread
Step 1. Attach thread and cover the hook shank with one layer of thread. Reposition thread near eye of hook.
Step 2. Cut foam into 1/8” strip. Cut one end of foam strip into a point.
Step 3. Tie down point of foam near the eye of the hook and reposition thread under the foam in the center of the hook.
Step 4. Wrap two loose wraps around the foam body, cinch tight with three more tight wraps.
Step 5. Cut foam tail section to extend about 1x length of fly beyond bend of hook. Round end of foam with scissors.
Step 6. Cut rubber legs into 1.5-2” portions. Attach two sections of rubber legs per side of fly with several wraps each. Each side of the fly will now have four legs.
Step 7. Trim legs to desired length, then whip finish.