Pattern for Knutsen's Spider

[dwootton]

I'm looking for a pattern called Knutsen's
Spider. It's supposed to be great for sea-
run cutthroat trout, and I want to tie some
for a friend in Washington.

Is anyone familiar with this fly, and if so
can you post a recipe?

Thanks.

[The Ole Man]

Sorry Mr. DW
We've never heard of brother Knutsen or any searun cuthroat for that matter. Must be a very local pattern. Like Uranus maybe.

[The Ole Man]

DW
I drifted my flip response by you to see if you were taking. No word. Guess I used the wrong fly. Assuming your post was genuine, maybe you have checked back here and were offended. A more serious response: of course there are sea run cutthroat, there are even sea run brown trout (monsters). Any of these salmon cousins that have anadromous elements in their genetic make-up will take off to the sea given the chance. If your friend fishes for sea run cutthroat, he most likely fishes in NW, BC or AK. Thats several thousand miles from N. GA. You need to look for that pattern in that region. If anyone knows, it will be Kaufmanns Streamborn in Portland Oregon. They are 25 yr specialists in those regions. Randall Kaufmann was a commercial flytier before he founded Kaufmanns. E-mail them at kaufmanns@kman.com. Best regards and post with us again.

[dwootton]

Well, it turns out that the ole man's second
suggestion was a good one. I popped an email
over there and got a pattern back the next
morning. Knutsen's spider is just a wet
fly with a golden pheasant tail, dubbed body
(usually sparkle material) and mallard flank
collar. The pattern sounds like a large, bright version of a fly that is commonly
used for Lake Huron steelhead.

I have to admit it was a stretch trying to
get this pattern from GA fishermen, but I
know from when I lived in Atlanta that there
are plenty of knowledgable fishermen reading
NGTO when they should be out fishing (or at
least banking time for the next fishing trip)