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Technical reviewed side profile illustration of Trico Spinner showing tiny sparse body, flat pale wing, low dry profile, no weighting in reviewed formIllustrated reference

Dry · guide 35

Trico Spinner

A very small spent-wing pattern for Trico spinner falls, with a sparse low flat profile.

Common size
#20–24
Common colors
black body, pale spent wing
Imitates
spent Trico mayfly
How to recognize it

The reviewed dry form is extremely sparse and flat, using a black body or thread head and pale spent wing. A weighted Sunken Trico Spinner is a separate variant.

Technical reviewed side profile illustration of Trico Spinner showing tiny sparse body, flat pale wing, low dry profile, no weighting in reviewed form
Illustrated reference

Trico Spinner reviewed side profile

A schematic profile emphasizing tiny sparse body and flat pale wing.

View
reviewed side profile
Color shown
black body and pale spent wing
Look for
tiny sparse body; flat pale wing; low dry profile; no weighting in reviewed form
Open full-size image ↗

On the water

Know when and how to fish it.

Use these tips as a starting point. The river, depth, insects, and fish behavior still decide the final presentation.

01

When to use it

  • During an observed or reliably timed Trico spinner fall.
  • When trout sip concentrated spent insects.
02

How to fish it

  • Dead-drift in the exact feeding lane.
  • Use a visible companion dry when needed.
03

Mistakes to avoid

  • Calling a weighted sunken form the same dry.
  • Oversizing it for visibility.

Common variations

Small changes can make a different fly.

Three reviewed technical illustrations show the identifying profile, construction, and fishing orientation. They are schematic field-guide aids, not photographs.

Reviewed core form

The reviewed dry form is extremely sparse and flat, using a black body or thread head and pale spent wing. A weighted Sunken Trico Spinner is a separate variant.
Colors shown
black body, pale spent wing
Weighting
Weighting is identified when it defines the reviewed form; other bead or weight choices remain labeled variants.

Related patterns

Rusty Spinner ↗Trico Patterns ↗

How this guide was checked

Fly information and photo sources.

Guide checked on 2026-07-12. Every image has its own source and usage record. Natural insects and hand-tied flies can vary in shape and proportion.

Pattern sources

Orvis NewsHow to Tie a Trico Spinner↗

Image credits