[letumgo]

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by letumgo:

Mudbuddy (Crawdad Imitiation)

[letumgo]

Note - the leather will darken quite a bit when it gets wet. I like the idea of using thin leather to give the pattern an appearance of a freshly molted (softshell stage) of a crawdad. I haven't tested this pattern yet, but it should work nicely on smallmouth.

[Wellman]

If I was a fish I would eat it.

[Claudia]

Sure looks like a killer to me, never seen one with leather before and i think its a great ide to make it sink and move lifelike in the water.


Claudia

[day5]

One word!

[Firetiger]

Very nice. Add carp and perch to the list of target species.
The fly has the look of sure killer. Short hops on the lake bottom on a very long leader, hop hop hop - and SLAM! Here comes the big one!

[letumgo]

Thanks guys (used figuratively Claudia)! These are really fun to tye. I woke up this morning and had to tye up a few more before breakfast. I can't wait to take these for a swim. I'm really tempted to give them a try on the steelhead this fall. I've never fished with crayfish patterns for steelhead, but it may be worth a try.

I will try to take some better pictures of the fly later.

[Futzer]

Hi Letumgo, great crawdaddy. I am tying mine similarly, but using black tungsten cones for the barbells, and I would draw in black eyes, take a small drop of Loon knot sense over each eye and cure it, for pupil dimension. Let us know how they work on Steelies, too. and where?

Cheers, Futzer.

[letumgo]

Those sound like some cool ideas. I like the idea of the eyes a lot. I'm still playing with variations on this pattern this morning. I've tried moving the location of the metal eyes up under the carapace and changed up the legs a bit by changing to tan schlappen. I've also added some color to the pattern by adding a strand of antron yarn (like Frank's Cradle Robber pattern). I like the look of the modifications and it makes it a little easier to tye.

Sorry...I won't divulge my fishing spot...

[Claudia]

well im happy with beeing one of the guys
Here in dk, iv used alot of crayfish patterns to fish for steelheads and it beats pretty much anything. i will tie some of youres to try over here with crazy eyes



Regards Claudia


Update: That paper pattern rocks

[letumgo]

I have been playing around a the computer this morning creating a template for the carapace. I've been using this to create more consistent cut-outs. I made a range of sizes so it is easy to scale the pattern up or down, depending on the size hook and crayfish you want to tye. Just print out the template and cut out the shape and lay it over the piece of leather your cutting. I've been using very sharp sissors, but a razor and ruler would probably work too.

Have Fun!!!

 Mudbuddy_Crawfish_Body_Templates.pdf (59.65K)
Number of downloads: 22

[Twist]

Awesome Idea with the Leather ray, Should make out to look like a terrific molting Cray, I don't know much about smallmouth(Live in the south), but I can tell ya largemouth would go nuts over it!


Just a Suggestion, Poke a small hole in the leather just above the tail, just big enough to put the eye of the hook through, so the tail will be on the underside of the pattern, that way when you hop it, the tail will flick.

[letumgo]

Twist - Nice touch. I like the idea of getting the tail under the hook. I think I can do this with the ones I've already tyed.

PS - I've added a few new pictures in the pattern database. A couple of the flies have now have eyes. Another nice suggestion.

[day5]

Thanks guys (used figuratively Claudia)! These are really fun to tye. I woke up this morning and had to tye up a few more before breakfast. I can't wait to take these for a swim. I'm really tempted to give them a try on the steelhead this fall. I've never fished with crayfish patterns for steelhead, but it may be worth a try.

I will try to take some better pictures of the fly later.

KhaILLER!!! for sumer run steel!!!!!Kha!!!ILLLLLEEEERRR!

[day5]

Thanks guys (used figuratively Claudia)! These are really fun to tye. I woke up this morning and had to tye up a few more before breakfast. I can't wait to take these for a swim. I'm really tempted to give them a try on the steelhead this fall. I've never fished with crayfish patterns for steelhead, but it may be worth a try.

I will try to take some better pictures of the fly later.

KhaILLER!!! for sumer run steel!!!!!Kha!!!ILLLLLEEEERRR!