Jump to content
Fly Tying
NJ All Day

Crayfish Patterns?

Recommended Posts

Hey there, i was focusing on fishing more small mouth this year and i know that you always needs one good crayfish pattern for smallies. So i was just wondering if any of you guys out there have a easy but killer crayfish pattern.

 

Also any other small mouth patterns would also help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I love a hybrid of the Clouser Craw. I substitute the hen claws with rabbit zonkers (squirrell for smaller patterns) and craft felt for the shell back instead of Furry Foam. Highly effective fly. Has NEVER left me fishless, even on the toughest days. I weight the fly according to variuos streams and drift and strip through ambush areas where smallies lurk. Great pattern for larger trout in waters where crayfish are prolific...just a starting point for ya....try searching the HUGE database here on out forum. You'll find some GREAT flies!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are many good crayfish patterns in the pattern data base as BDH has said. I use a lot of flies that are bonefish or redfish flies, tied in colors to match local crayfish.

 

Check out a fly called a "Squimp." It works very well as a crayfish, and is easy to tie. I tie it in olive & rusty brown & both have produced real well.

 

Keep in mind that crayfish patterns, do not have to look exactly like a crayfish ( to us) to be productive. I think if the fly resembles a cray in size & shape, and more importantly that it acts like a crayfish, it will work well. That has been my experience with using these flies.

 

There is another thread recently posted about Smallmouth flies that will list other good patterns.

 

Here's the link to that thread: Smallmouth Flies :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern1343.html

 

 

Just another example of a good one.

 

Craw patterns can be as ellaborate or as simple as you want them to be.....when you search the database, use the key word "craw" and you'll find all that you need for inspiration.

 

 

TWF,

 

that little pattern has served me well....I appreciate you sharing it with me when you did...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I completely agree that a fly doesn't have to look like an exact craw replica. Think of some of the best conventional craw-style baits that work on smallmouth all over the country...tube jigs, bass jigs, craw-colored crank baits...they don't all look like a craw you just picked up that was hiding under a rock. My very poorly tied rabbit strip craw pattern I first tried last year was a huge success on fish, even though to tiers it looked like a rabbit that had been attacked by Jack the Ripper. I caught smallies, spots, and even a channel cat on it. My revised versions look better to me, but still not the intricate replicas you see all over the web and in catalogs. Don't get me wrong, those flies look awesome, but sometimes I think we as tiers go a little overboard. ;)

 

Here is a small craw pattern I just did last night (size 10). I weighted the hook with the brass eyes and some additional lead wire, body of rusty ice chenille, rabbit strip for the claws, two pieces of rubber leg material for antennae, and added some pheasant tail fibers for a shell back, even though I don't think it is necessary for smallies:

 

DSC_0307.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nice little craw, Cream. I'd fish it. I seems to me that if a tier/angler can make the fly "appear" to be a craw, that's the key factor in triggering a response from a fish. I think, in my unscientific opinion, that if the profile and movement are right, the fish will hit it, even if it doesn't look anything like a craw while you're holding it in your hand.

 

TWF,

 

I don't mind to share my mediocre patterns...My skill is limited, but posting my flies always seem to help me stimulate a discussion with more talented and serious tiers. Hopefully those discussions help our novices and beginners, and that's what it's all about!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
was that the one with the floating foam claws? Crazy cool pattern!

 

That was the one, the foam claws make it look like it's trying to defend itself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

tied several of those after reading the article. I found I had to weight the fly just right to balance it with the claws, or the claws "float" the fly up and down. But after just a couple of tries, I got it right. Can't wait to fish it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Kelly Galloup has a couple patterns. The one and only craw pattern I fish has the hook riding up, two rabbit strips (I like squirrel) for the claws, a cone shaped spun head with the wide end between the claws with a couple of the hairs left long out the front, then a body wrapped with the rabbit (squirrel). I like to run some medallion sheeting down the top with a wire rib. Weight as desired. I do like the spun deer head to separate the claws...give just a little more action.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...