Dry FliesProfile Spinner
The Profile Spinner is a mayfly spinner imitation that combines realistic silhouette with excellent visibility for the angler. This pattern features a goose biot body for segmented realism, mayfly tail fibers for the characteristic split tails of spent spinners, a cerise McFlylon parachute post for visibility, polypropylene macrame yarn spent wings, and parachute-style hackle wound around the post. The design creates an accurate spinner profile while remaining visible to the angler during low-light spinner falls.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a thoughtful approach to spinner imitation that balances realism with fishability. The goose biot body creates the segmented appearance of natural mayfly spinners while the polypropylene yarn wings suggest the translucent, spent wings of dead and dying mayflies. The parachute hackle design allows the fly to land softly and sit flush in the surface film like a natural spinner. The cerise parachute post is a key feature - while it provides excellent visibility for the angler in low-light conditions typical of spinner falls, it doesn't spook fish because it sits above the water's surface where trout focus on the body and wings in the film.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100SPBL, #12-18
Thread: Veevus 14/0, rusty brown
Tail: Mayfly Tails, dun or brown
Body: Goose Biot, rusty brown or brown
Parachute Post: McFlylon, cerise
Wing: Polypropylene Macrame Yarn, silver
Hackle: Rooster Cape or Saddle (Whiting), brown or light dun
Glue: Zap A Gap
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring, summer, and fall during mayfly spinner falls. Peak effectiveness occurs during evening and early morning when spinners return to the water to lay eggs and die.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift, allowing the pattern to settle flush in the surface film. Spinner falls typically occur in flat water where trout feed rhythmically on spent mayflies. Accurate casting to rising fish is essential.
When to Use
Select this pattern during spinner falls when you observe mayflies falling to the water with spent wings. Look for trout rising with subtle, sipping rises - characteristic of spinner-feeding fish that don't need to expend energy chasing mobile prey.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly flat tailouts, pools, and slick runs where spinners collect and trout feed on them. Most effective in slow to moderate current where spinners accumulate.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a long, fine leader of 12-15 feet tapering to 6X-7X fluorocarbon tippet. The fine tippet ensures drag-free drifts essential for spinner fishing. Apply floatant sparingly to the hackle and post only, allowing the body to sit in the film.
Visibility & Floatation
The cerise parachute post provides excellent visibility for the angler while the hackle keeps the fly floating properly. The body should penetrate the surface film slightly, mimicking the flush profile of natural spent spinners.
