Article by Sander van Dijk
Here’s a fly pattern that’s as fun to tie as it is to fish and is surprisingly effective. The inspiration? Look no further than what’s already happening right at the water’s surface. Spiders are everywhere near water. They live in it, skate across it, and tumble onto it. That natural presence makes them an irresistible target for fish, and the Sanders Spider is designed to imitate just that.
After experimenting with wild goose feathers, I discovered they were the perfect material for bringing this fly to life. The result is a versatile pattern that works as both a wet fly (with a little added weight) and a dry fly in two sizes, a larger Daddy Long Legs style and a smaller mosquito profile. Best of all, it’s a pattern that any tyer, beginner or experienced, can pull off with ease.
Of the two versions, the floating Daddy Long Legs has proven to be a standout performer on moving water, particularly as the leaves start to turn in the Fall.
Tying Tips
- Choose the right hook length for the size of Sanders Spider you’re tying
- Build a simple body, floating or sinking, using whatever material suits your style
- Tie your goose feather “legs” (anywhere from 4 to 8) from front to back along the hook
- Keep in mind -fish can’t count the amount of legs 😉
- Work back toward the hook eye, spreading the legs apart as you go
- For a dry fly version, angle the legs both up and down along the body. That way it will always land on its feet!
The Sanders Spider earns its place in any fly box through simplicity. With a handful of goose feathers and a few minutes at the vise, you have a fly that mimics one of nature’s most overlooked bankside creatures.
Sander van Dijk is just a practical guy who likes to fish using nature’s knowledge.
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