Mahogany Spinner

The Mahogany Spinner is a delicate and effective dry fly designed to imitate the spent adult stage of the Mahogany Dun (Paraleptophlebia) mayfly. Known for their rusty brown coloration and graceful, motionless presentation on the water, spinner patterns like this one play a critical role in the later stages of a mayfly hatch when trout key in on dying adults floating in the film.

This pattern features a slender, reddish-brown body with spent wings and a low-riding profile—closely mimicking the vulnerable post-mating mayfly. It’s especially effective during the late afternoon and early evening when Mahogany spinners fall to the water, offering easy meals for surface-feeding trout.

To fish the Mahogany Spinner effectively, look for subtle rise forms in slow or moderate current seams, foam lines, or eddies. Present the fly with a dead drift and fine tippet to avoid drag. Because spinners lie flat on the water, trout often inspect them closely—so accuracy and natural presentation are key. This fly shines in autumn, but it’s also useful during spring and summer hatches in cooler tailwaters.