utyer 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 Working on some crawfish and hellgramite patterns for smallies in Western Pa. Any input on colors, and or sizes will be appreciated. The craw has squirrell tail claws, copper flash for mouth parts and feelers. Orange dubbing, brown hackle, and a turkey tail back. The hellgramite has a black yarn-grey fox under fur blend with some red and blue ice dubbing mixed in. They are both on a size 4 4xl hook. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
day5 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 Filet mignon of the river! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
letumgo 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 Those are kick-ass flies! :headbang: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeginnerFlyTyer 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 i fish western pa the smallmouth are pretty agressive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flymanaj 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 Nice job, the only thing I would change is the tail on the Crawfish. I would fold it under to immitate a fleeing Crawfish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MickThompson 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 Those are really nice ties. I would try to incorporate movement into your flies. Bass have a different menality than a trout- trout study an insect for imperfections, while bass react and strike what looks and acts like food. I use lots of rabbit hair, marabou, sili legs, and flashy materials. I was talking to a fly shop owner the other day (also a smallmouth nut) and mentioned how I had noticed fish often strike when the fly is not drifting dead with the current. He had also seen the same. Bass eat lots of things that can swim or crawl against the current. Drag is only a dirty word when using dries. A dead drift will often work, but if it isn't, you can use mending to pause the fly, and thenanother mend to allow it to accelerate. This will often trigger a strike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utyer 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2011 Thanks for the tips, I have been doing a few with silicon legs, and flash. Using soft webby hackles to get movement from them as well. I know many of us trout guys and dead drift nuts, but I have always wanted movement within the fly. I will remember your advise about moving the bug as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cspears0006 0 Report post Posted April 8, 2011 Awsome Crayfish man, the smallies here in Kentucky would love em.... GREAT TIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted April 8, 2011 Nice job, the only thing I would change is the tail on the Crawfish. I would fold it under to immitate a fleeing Crawfish. A good way to acheive this is with rabbit or squirell zonkers for claws. I use them almost exclusively for my creek croaws. Just an idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
