FLYMPH FORUM

As a result of data supplied by John "Greenwell" Shaner (ironically enough), I recently read an article by Oliver Edwards in which he extolls the virtues of the classic North Country spiders. In the article he supplies his recipes for several of them, including the Greenwell's Spider -- a soft hackle version of the famous winged pattern.

Edwards' recipe calls for coch-y-bondhu hen hackle (black center with red tips), while previous recipes I have seen for "Greenwell" variations generally called for "furnace hen hackle" or, more recently, "Greenwell hen hackle". Remembering a nice little coch-y-bondhu hen skin that I've had for a while, I have attempted to come up with an acceptable version:

Hook: Daiichi 1530, Size #16
Thread: Pearsall's Gossamer #3 primrose, very heavily waxed (sub for Gossamer #4 light yellow which I do not have)
Hackle: Coch-y-bondhu hen
Rib: Fine gold wire
Body: Thread wraps

Perfect Bill. A fly for all seasons (for me). I can not make such simple appearing patterns look so elegant. You can, and do. Well done sir!

Bill - I'd rate that as "Acceptable Indeed!" Beautifully tied spider.

It sure is a beaut!

Excellent!

Bill,
This Greenwell's is amazing and so delicate and beautiful. I remember the set of Greenwell's (Alice Comba inspired) you sent to me a couple of years ago and how wonderful they were. This one is no less beautiful esp. in the body work! Stunning!
When I grow up, I wanna tie just like you!
Constantly amazed at what beauty your hands can create,
Apprentice D.

Very nice.
That is a pattern that is never far from reach over here for most all of the season. Never as popular as it should be (like most historic patterns here), but then if everyone did it it would not be as much fun.
Greenwell's in any form, dry wet or nymph/spider is a very effective trout fooler.

On the hackle, I always thought black centre/red tips was furnace and coch-y-bondhu was black nearest the stem, red centre and black again at the tips? Not a usual find and indeed bloody scarce in some parts.

You may well be right about the technicalities of coch-y-bondhu colors, Jeff. I am often mistaken in my terminology.

Nice looking fly, Mr. Bill.

A beautiful tie Bill and I'm left wanting to see more of that fly.
Are you able to photograph from the front?

The cape sounds and looks a real treasure .