Realistic Crayfish patterns

[ArcticFoxFly]

Where can I buy realistic crayfish patterns which are about 1 to 2inch long?

Thanks.

Arctic

[arkle]

Private Message Sent

[ArcticFoxFly]

Or patterns then I can tie them myself.

Arctic

[SteveC]

Hi Arcticfox

Roger Beck and I have had success with these.

http://www.fishingwithstyle.co.uk/yo...6.htm#Crayfish

Hook: 2 – 4 – 6 extra long shank
Tread: Black
Tail/back/thorax cover: Black Raffia about 1cm wide
Rib: Copper wire
Underbody: Lead wire
Body/Thorax Dubbing: Rough dubbing – green/black/blue/dark red mixture
Claws: Black Hen feather – well rounded or spoon shaped.

Wind the thread down the shank, half way down tie in the copper wire.
At the top of the bend tie in the raffia and splay out forming a fan shaped tail (do not cut off the raffia but bend the “long bit” out of the way over the tail.
Coat the raffia tail with varnish to make it stiff and keep the fan effect.
Heavily lead the shank and wind additional turns over the thorax area making it thicker in that area.
Heavily dub the “body” to just behind the thorax.
Pull over the raffia and tie down behind the thorax forming a “case” over the body.
Wind the copper wire over the body in open turns forming a ribbing effect.
Take the thread over the leaded thorax area to behind the eye
Tie in the claws behind the eye.
Take the thread back over the lead to behind the thorax.
Heavily dub the thorax area building up a bulky appearance.
Pull the raffia over the thorax area and tie down behind the eye and cut off the waste.
Whip finish in open turns taking care to miss the claws.

Varnish the raffia throughout the fly to give a glossy effect.

The Claws.

These can be made from almost any spoon shaped feathers depending on the finished colour required.

Cut out the stalk of the feather about half way down.
Put some varnish or head cement on the finger and thumb of one hand and draw the feather though to coat the feather. This can be repeated a number of times until either the cement goes hard or until the feather has formed the exact shape required and stays in the form required and is fixed (stiff).

Good Ideas

Make a few claws before beginning the tie the crayfish you are not waiting then for them to dry out.

Depending on the curvature of the stalk, claws can be made either for the left or right hand side of the crayfish.

Cheers

Steve C

[SteveC]

Hi Again

Also see the August issue of Trout Fisherman (I think).

Steve C

[darkuser80]

I've got a yabbie pattern in my box that doesn't look too complicated, I'll dig it out and post up some photies if it will help.

[SteveC]

Hi Articfox

Yes it is in the August Trout Fisherman - quite an interesting article and full tying instructions.

Cheers

Steve C

[ArcticFoxFly]

Originally Posted by darkuser80

I've got a yabbie pattern in my box that doesn't look too complicated, I'll dig it out and post up some photies if it will help.

Yes I would be very much grateful if you could do that.

Arctic

[barclay34]

There is a Step by Step crayfish pattern in August 2007 issue of Trout Fisherman,

[fredaevans]

http://www.steelheaduniversity.com/sandshrimp.html

Post this, even though it's on rigging Sand Shrimp for 'bait fishing,' as it's a 'top producer' whether done as a bait, or tied up as a fly.

http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?act=flyshow&s=$s&showid=1563