Dry FliesPFD Rusty Spinner
The PFD (Preparation For Death) Rusty Spinner is an excellent representation of a spent mayfly. It's designed to lie flat on the water, mimicking a mayfly that has expended all of its energy and is now an easy meal for a hungry trout. The 'rusty' color makes it a great imitation for a variety of mayfly species.
Spring, Summer
Intermediate
Trout
Apr 2025
Overview
This spinner uses split microfibetts for tails, a rusty brown dubbed body, and spent wings made of CDC or Antron tied flat. The name “PFD” refers to how well it floats thanks to the dubbing and wing spread—great for evening spinner falls.
Materials
Hook: Dai-Riki 305, sizes #14-#18
Thread/Body: 6/0 or 70 Denier, rusty brown
Tails: Mayfly Tails or microfibbets, medium dun
Tail separator: Tag end of tying thread
PFD: Craft foam, white
Wing: New Zealand sheep wool, white
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Spent mayfly spinners lie motionless on the water's surface with wings outstretched after completing their mating flights and egg-laying duties, drifting helplessly in the current.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish sip these spent spinners in smooth glides during evening spinner falls. Most effective in Henry's Fork tailouts where spinners concentrate in foam lines after mating flights.
How to Fish It: Cast upstream and allow completely drag-free drift through feeding lanes during evening spinner falls. Clip the orange post down so fly rides flush in the film like naturals.
Best Water: Focus on smooth glides with gentle current, spring creek flats under 2 feet deep, and foam lines inside bends.
Strike Type: Spinner feeders sip quietly with barely audible takes; watch for surface rings and set with a smooth upward lift.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a light tippet and a delicate cast to present this fly naturally.
Seasonal Timing: Best during May-July emergence windows. Fish morning and evening when hatches occur and water temps are 55-68°F.
Pro Tips: The white poly yarn wings of the PFD Rusty Spinner make it easy to spot on the water. The fly is designed to lie flat on the water, imitating a spent mayfly.
Entomology
Spent mayfly spinners lie motionless on the water's surface with wings outstretched after completing their mating flights and egg-laying duties, drifting helplessly in the current. Trout feed selectively on these expired adults during spinner falls, often rising with quiet sipping rises as they methodically consume the concentrated food source.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Common Name
- Mayfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult