Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2023 The latest version of my Lake Havasu Crayfish. It's an orange and green swamp crayfish. Everybody loves them in Havasu. Close-up of the crayfish. I wasn't completely happy with the versions I found on the internet, so I came up with this one. My latest version of a fresh water snail. It's made with all the regular components. The shell is a two stage extended dubbing body. The snail itself is dubbing and the antennae are chenille. The first stage of the shell. It was formed using extended body techniques on a needle, then re-positioned on the needle with a mono core for the second stage. Then wrapped around in spiral fashion. An assortment of "shells" are made first. The the snails are made in many colors and sizes. Latest version of quagga mussels also in many colors and sizes. The boxes with San Juan worms, simpler snails, sculpins, flying bugs and terrestrials Streamers and gurglers. Grubs, woolly buggers, woolly worms and other assorted wet flies. Crayfish, new version snails and Quagga mussels. Next, carp eggs and more streamers. I'm headed to Sitka for a week, talk to you all later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickZieger 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2023 Have fun. Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poopdeck 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2023 Everything looks great but I’m really impressed with the snails. Great ingenuity on the snail construction. Them record book bluegill don’t stand a chance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2023 Nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niveker 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2023 Wow, thats impressive Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2023 6 hours ago, Poopdeck said: Everything looks great but I’m really impressed with the snails. Great ingenuity on the snail construction. Them record book bluegill don’t stand a chance. Well, I worked on that snail pattern for quite a while before I figured out what I wanted to do. I'm planning on at least two months at Havasu in the spring and hopefully up to three. I gotta put in for the time with the warden. Either way, it seems like more fun than a kid should be allowed to have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2023 3 hours ago, chugbug27 said: Nice! 16 minutes ago, niveker said: Wow, thats impressive Mark Thanks to you all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2023 6 hours ago, RickZieger said: Have fun. Rick Thanks Bud. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandan 0 Report post Posted July 26, 2023 Great work Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2023 On 7/26/2023 at 9:08 AM, Sandan said: Great work Mark Thanks, Mr. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcozzz 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2023 Always been on my wish list.Chasing shellcrackers with well,shells makes sense.I guy i used to talk to on a different forum was a jig tyer.He fished many So Cal lakes as wellas Havasu.This guy owned the sunfish.Havasu seems to have every thing i like to fish for.Maybe some day.Looking forward to your pics of those flies in their mouths Mark. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2023 2 hours ago, jcozzz said: Always been on my wish list.Chasing shellcrackers with well,shells makes sense.I guy i used to talk to on a different forum was a jig tyer.He fished many So Cal lakes as wellas Havasu.This guy owned the sunfish.Havasu seems to have every thing i like to fish for.Maybe some day.Looking forward to your pics of those flies in their mouths Mark. I have been to Lake Havasu twice now and you are right, it is a great place. After the latest world record was caught there, a 6.3 pound red ear, I booked a week long trip for the following March. Then this spring I went down there for a month and caught some up to 3 pounds on conventional gear. I posted a report for both trips on this forum. Here's a link to the last one. https://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?/topic/110754-a-report-on-my-trip-to-lake-havasu-this-year/ This coming spring I will be down for a minimum of two months, (shooting for three, weather, health and wife permitting). I will be fishing almost exclusively with fly gear. It is very much fun and get excited just thinking about it. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MuskyFlyGuy 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2023 Mark, I look forward to reading about your adventure and seeing all the pictures. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2023 16 hours ago, MuskyFlyGuy said: Mark, I look forward to reading about your adventure and seeing all the pictures. Tom Thanks Tom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2023 Very nice snail patterns. I tied some the last time you posted your attempts. We have Redears here, but nothing as big as Havasu. I haven't had any hits on mine yet. I know it's several month or half a year or so, but I hope you get the time and get lots of great memories from your next trip to that lake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites