I fish this strikingly pretty and simple little pattern mostly in a size 12, in conjunction with palmers and dabblers etc, so I theefore tend think of it as more of a wet fly than a lure. It is, however, obviously based on the 'Ace of Spades', so I'll file under 'lures', and you can make your own mind up. I do reccommend that you tie some- in any size you like -  and fish them. This slight variation combines the best of several styles of fly - wets, cormorants, nymphs, and brings them together to create a very effective and reliable pattern. Effective right through the season from the word go until the very last days.