Crayfish 'claw' ideas

[ArcticFoxFly]

My father went for a walk along the Wharfe at Barden 2 weeks ago with Craven Fly Dresser's Guild and amonst some larvae, he photographed a very small crayfish.

I have invented a crayfish on a size 14 longshank hook. And I am just curious of what material I should/could use for its claws.

I've tried an orange feather. And orange biots, marked black leaving an orange tip.

The biots seem to do the trick. But I would like to know what other guys and girls think I should use.


Thanks

[Silver Stoat]

.

I used a broad(ish) knotted rubber band to make the claws on some crab imitations for Florida SWFF (see below). The additional colour is just acrylic artists paint roughly daubed on.
The one illustrated is tied on a No. 2 hook.
Would something similar, maybe using a brighter colour paint, do the job for your crayfish claws?


Dave.

[cowie]

slightly off topic but superb looking crab pattern Dave

[arkle]

Although slightly on the large size for your "fly" I've used barred cock pheasant breast feathers.

Cut the tip out at the centre quill so that it forms a "V" shape at the tip. Then strip away the lower fibres from either side of the stalk so that you have a spoon shaped feather left. For larger patterns stroke back some of the fibres on each side so that they lay back towards the base of the feather. These are then treated with a drop of a soft adhesive or Germolene "Nu Skin" so that they stay in shape. After that part has dried, repeat the process at the tip of the feather so that both parts are "plasticized" & become durable.

For smaller patterns just treat the spoon part of the feather, & tie them both in on the quill.

[itchybeard]

Again slightly off topic but must comment.
What a Brilliant Crab immitation, when I first saw it I thought someone had pierced a real one.

well done Dave.

[ArcticFoxFly]

silver stoat

The hooks that I use are only size 14 or 12 (Kamasan B175). So I think rubber bands are out.

I was thinking more on the lines of biots and other 'small' materials.