Dark Spanish Needle

[redietz]

I was wondering what makes this Spanish. Doesn't matter but the question occurred to me. Thanks for saying this one.

William,
The Dark Spanish Needle (known also as a Needle Brown and Dark Needle) imitates small dark stoneflies (genus Leuctra) of the North Country. "Needle" of the name refers to the long and strikingly thin body of Leuctra adults, which roll their wings tightly around the body when at rest. "Spanish" refers to the color of the adult wings, which are a dark steely blue similar to that of unpolished steel sewing needles. Such needles were imported by England from Spain in large numbers in the early 19th century, which is when John Swarbrick first gave the fly its name (Wharfedale Flies, 1807). --Phil

Not quite true, there's an intermediate step. "Spanish needle" refers to seeds of plants of the genus Bidens. You're probably familiar with them as "hitchhikers."



(If that image doesn't show up, it's at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... les_3.jpeg

You could just lash the seeds onto a hook, and have a passable stonefly imitation. The needle flies were name after the seeds.

I'm not sure why England would import needles. In the 19th century, something like 90% of the world's supply were made in Redditch. Sort of like carrying coals to Newcastle.

[Theroe]

…….But it was a good story!!!!

[Brooktrout52]

Great looking fly and fascinating background information.

[Bishthefish1]

Since rediscovering soft hackles a few years ago, the Dark Spanish Needle is one of my go to flies early and late season. Both the river Tees and the little river Leven have good hatches of these tiny stone flies.