The Rusty Spinner imitates the spent female of many important mayfly species — Hendricksons, Sulphurs, and Blue-Winged Olives all produce rusty-bodied spinners. Dead fish on the surface, and trout are absolutely locked on them.
1. Thread base — Attach tan thread behind the eye and build a fine base to the bend.
2. Tail — Tie in a small bunch of white hackle fibers at the bend. Divide them with figure-eight wraps into a wide V-shape. Tails should be long — 1.5× hook shank.
3. Abdomen — Dub a very slim, smooth rust-colored abdomen from the bend to the midpoint.
4. Wings — At the midpoint, tie in a small bunch of white CDC or poly yarn horizontally using figure-eight wraps to divide into two spent wings. Wings extend to each side, hook-shank length.
5. Thorax — Dub a slightly fuller rust thorax over and around the wing tie-in point.
6. Head — Build a tiny head. Whip finish and apply head cement.
Ephemerella dorothea / invaria
