AndrewP 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2012 This is a nice pattern I picked up from an older copy of Fly Tyer. The article showed both the pattern and a unique way to attach removable/swappable weights (from beadchain to heavy lead eyes). Since I rarely need heavy lead flies, I just concentrated on the pattern and tied it weedless with no weight, with beadchain, and one with lead eyes. The pattern uses jig hooks (I think they used 90 degree); I substituted with the Eagle Claw 413 (60 degree) hooks I already had. I tied as small as #4, the baitfish I tied used a #1 but you can go bigger if desired. Quick Instructions (mine is slightly different from article): 1) Tie on a small rattle to the hook. Tie in beadchain/lead eyes at front if desired. 2) Tie in rubber legging and flash for tail. 3) Tie in a small amount of estaz right behind the rattle -- one wrap (optional, I like it for baitfish colors) 4) Tie in cross-cut rabbit strip on top of rattle and wrap rattle and one turn past. 6) Tie in additional rubber legging (optional). Tie in 1 wrap of estaz (optional). 5). Tie in alternating color of cross-cut rabbit, and wrap to/around eyes. Done!! It's an easy tie and fun to do, and it doesn't take long to produce. I've tied it as both shimp/crabs and as a baitfish -- here are some examples below: First, all black, weedless, no weight Another in tan with markings, weedless, no weight (fabric paint eyes) Purple/black with beadchain eyes Chartruese/White with lead eyes Enjoy!! AP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MIKE*A 0 Report post Posted December 14, 2012 Very nice! I have tied some in the past on smaller hook sizes in olive and fox fur as crayfish pattterns......I think I used the same article for reference. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
agn54 0 Report post Posted December 20, 2012 Very cool flies. The black one looks like it would be killer around the oyster bars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandflyx 0 Report post Posted December 20, 2012 Been tying something similar; Banana Boat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites