Spade
The Spade is a classic low-water steelhead fly developed by Seattle angler Bob Arnold during the late 1960s. It was designed for cautious summer steelhead in clear, shallow rivers, where larger and more heavily dressed patterns could alarm fish or repeatedly snag the bottom. The fly is normally cast across and downstream and fished on a controlled swing, with its sparse construction and light hook allowing it to move close to the surface. Spades can be tied in several colors and sizes, and the style later inspired numerous variations, including patterns developed by Alec Jackson. Keeping the dressing sparse, balancing the hackle, and preserving the fly’s light, unobtrusive profile are the main considerations when tying it.
Tied the Spade?
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Recipe
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Hook · standard salmon streamer hook sizes 1/0 - 6
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Thread · black
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Tail · natural dark deer hair
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Body · black chenille
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Hackle · grizzly collar