NJ All Day 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern8330.html TWF fishes a Clouser Minnow style fly tied with squirrell that makes a great craw. When it's stripped in the bottom of a riffle or run, it makes a great fleeing pattern. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 Chris, I had forgot about that fly! Old age! Thanks for the reminder! Here's the link to that pattern. It's easy to tie, and as BDH said, it works great in moving water as a fleeing cray. Clouser Style Crayfish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChuckingFluff 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 The new Hatches mag has a great fighting crayfish pattern, pick it up it's a great mag. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 was that the one with the floating foam claws? Crazy cool pattern! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishyboY 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 I tie one called a crawmad. Craft felt for the back. chennile for underbody. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 Chris, you're welcome anytime! Thanks for sharing all the great patterns you tie too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheCream 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChuckingFluff 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Hat 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2010 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. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites