StreamersPlatte River Spider
The Platte River Spider is a classic Western soft-hackle streamer designed for the famous South Platte River in Colorado. This pattern combines streamer and soft-hackle elements with a layered marabou body in yellow and brown, a woodduck mallard flank collar for movement, and a hen neck feather wing. The red Amherst pheasant tail hot spot adds a subtle trigger point, while rootbeer Krystal Flash provides flash. The result is a buggy, pulsating fly that suggests a variety of food sources.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a regional classic developed for the diverse waters of Colorado's South Platte River system. The pattern draws on soft-hackle traditions while incorporating streamer elements for a versatile searching pattern. The layered marabou body creates incredible movement in the water, while the woodduck mallard flank collar adds subtle barring and pulsation. The hen neck feather wing provides a more delicate profile than traditional streamer hackle, making it effective for wary trout in clear water. The red hot spot at the rear adds a trigger point that can provoke strikes from following fish.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 200R, #4
Thread: Veevus 14/0, black
Hot Spot: Amherst Pheasant Tail, red
Body: Marabou, yellow and brown
Flash: Krystal Flash, rootbeer
Collar: Mallard Flank, woodduck
Wing: Hen Neck Feather, yellow and furnace
Glue: Solarez UV Resin, bone dry plus
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring, summer, and fall when trout are actively feeding. Particularly productive during periods of high water when fish are looking for larger food items.
Presentation
Fish with a combination of swinging and stripping techniques. Cast across and slightly downstream, allowing the fly to swing through the current before adding short strips. The soft materials create enticing movement even on the dead drift.
When to Use
Select this pattern when prospecting runs and pools, or when fish are showing interest in larger food items. Effective as a searching pattern and when trout are feeding opportunistically on a variety of prey.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly the tailwaters and freestone sections of Colorado rivers. Works well in riffles, runs, and pool tailouts where trout hold and feed.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 2X-3X tippet. Use a floating line in shallow water or a sink-tip when fishing deeper runs. Consider a two-fly rig with the Spider as the point fly and a smaller nymph dropper.
Visibility & Floatation
This is a subsurface pattern designed to be fished actively. The yellow and brown marabou provides good visibility while the rootbeer flash adds subtle attraction. The soft materials create lifelike movement that triggers strikes.
