[en] A strategy for pattern recognition in the main tracking system of a forward B spectrometer like HERA-B or LHC-B is presented. Intrinsically a local method, it combines the virtues of track following procedures with the necessary ability to optimize between many available paths in a high occupancy environment. A hit-locating procedure suitable for a multiplanar detector geometry has been developed. The performance of the method is tested on HERA-B Monte Carlo events with full detector simulation and a realistic spectrometer geometry. (orig.)