Rusty Spinner
Imitates: Spent mayfly spinner (post-spawn adult)
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #14-20
- Best Season
- Late spring through fall, peak at dawn and dusk
- Best Conditions
- Spring creeks, tailwaters, evening rises, slow flat water
- Water Temp
- 55-68°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 6X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Single dry on a long, fine leader. Trail behind a visible dun pattern if you can't see it.
How to Present It
Dead-drift through spinner falls — typically at dusk in summer. The fly lies completely flat in the film like a dying mayfly.
Why It Works
After mating, mayflies fall on the water with wings spread flat. Trout key on these easy meals during spinner falls and refuse standard upright duns.
History
The rust color matches the post-mating coloration of multiple mayfly species (PMD, BWO, Callibaetis), making it one of the most universal spinner patterns in fly fishing.
Pro Tip
Spinner falls happen in the last 30 minutes of daylight in summer. Be on the water at dusk with a rusty spinner ready — the bite window is short and intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mayfly spinner?+
A spinner is the final adult stage of a mayfly. After mating, they fall on the water with wings spread — easy targets for trout.
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