Suggestions for Crayfish Claws

[JGF24 0]

Since seeing a scientific article or 2 about bass and crayfish and how bass prefer crayfish with reduced claws or a missing claw, I like the idea of fishing flies with either smaller claws or with one larger claw and one smaller. While I understand that claws are a prominent part of crayfish, maybe they should be less prominent on the flies we fish?

 

Rabbit (or squirrel) strips have been just fine for me, particularly the smaller versions. I generally cut off the fur from the first half or so of the strip. Otherwise, pheasant tail fibers on smaller flies work well as do the feather types above.

[[email protected] 0]

i recon you could use foam?

[Bruce Derington 0]

Denduke, nice job, say I saw very similar pattern many years ago in Fly Fisherman mag. Still a great one.

Pat Cohen uses ultra suede (I think), Color them with marker

[Guest]

Thats where I got the idea and tweeked it

[bad fish rising 0]

both of these crayfish have squirrel hair claws

[Robert M 0]

Grizzly chickabou makes nice claws and can be clipped to segment them or tie knots at strategic locations.

[Dave G. 0]

Maybe better pic

Those are awesome !!

[Dave G. 0]

I think most important is to have the claws show life, so impressionistic. In the past I've used marabou for the claws and a few turns of hackle for the legs but you guys are stirring my imagination here and increasing my desire to tie up a few crayfish for this summer. Beautiful renditions everyone ! I have some plastic green dumbbell eyes that have been just waiting for a place to use them too.