Simple Crayfish - With rabbit zonkers - McFly Angler Fly Tying Tutorials

Рет қаралды 48,620

Күн бұрын

Crayfish, or also called crawdads are a common food source for many freshwater fish, especially bass. But in rivers and lakes where trout get predatory, they will also eat crayfish as well. Therefor a crayfish pattern should be in your box when going out fishing areas where you know crayfish are present. Crayfish offer a large protein meal for fish, and therefor they love eating them. And they are a food source that is year round, instead of some nymph, and dry fly patterns for bass and trout.
This crayfish pattern is one that has probably been done many times before. However I could not find a specific name for it. Its simple, and relatively easy to tie. It also sinks quickly to the bottom and rides hook point up. You could even make this more barbless by putting a mono weed guard on the front. However I find that the fly is quite weedless already with the tag of zonker strip covering the hook point, so I usually don't tie a mono weed guard on. What I like about this fly though is how the claws will splay out after it hits the bottom of the lake or river, and the fly itself angles upward, like a crawdad will do when in defensive mode. Warry bass and trout will sit and watch a crawdad for a few seconds on the bottom, and this subtle movement of the rubber legs and claws will initiate a strike from even the most skittish fish.
Another thing about this fly is that it is relatively inexpensive to tie. It uses a smalll amount of materials, and one bag of rabbit strips will tie 20+ of these flies. Add a body of chenille, which is also inexpensive, a hook, some rubber legs and the dumbbell eyes, and this is a fly that can be tied for under a dollar each. Making it not only effective, quick to tie, but also easy on the wallet.
As always I am listing all the materials used on this fly below. With links to where you can purchase them online. All my links are to the fly artist which I am including a discount code for anything purchased through them. This makes the Fly Artist the best deal on the net for purchasing materials, so please use the code! McFly10
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McFly10
Materials:
Hook I used: Fireholesticks #811 in size 6 - can only be purchased on the firehole outdoors website
Alternative hook: Gamakatsu B10S - www.flyartist.com/products/ga...
Thread: Veevus 140 power thread in brown - www.flyartist.com/products/ve...
dumbell eyes: Lead Dumbell eyes in small or medium - www.flyartist.com/collections...
Rubber Legs: I used some that you can't purchase online, but these "crazy legs" will work just the same (use whatever color you wish) - www.flyartist.com/collections...
Claws/body: Rabbit Zonker strips in crawfish orange - www.flyartist.com/collections...
Body Wrap: Variegated Chenille in Brown/Yellow - www.flyartist.com/products/ha...
Cement: Solrez "Ultra Thin" UV resin - www.flyartist.com/products/so...
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#flytying #crayfish #crawdad #crayfishfly #bass #bassbug #bassfly #weedless

Пікірлер: 80

@gearpigg2312 9 күн бұрын

Awesome. Love the guide fly. Was watching another crayfish pattern that takes 20 minutes to tie. That's nuts.

@mikeellickson4199 Жыл бұрын

Cool pattern. Excellent instructions. Simple, clear, thorough.

@McFlyAngler Жыл бұрын

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

@user-hj3ol9qx7v 22 күн бұрын

Half a decade later and I say, "Awesome" vid...

@McFlyAngler 22 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@user-ei7jm6wb7t 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome fly keep up the good work!

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@speterlewis 5 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. And thanks for zooming in so close...that's so helpful!

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

👍 glad you like it

@speterlewis 5 жыл бұрын

@@McFlyAngler Tied some up tonight. Great pattern. Easy and fun to tie. The smallmouths around here should be shaking in their boots (if they wear boots...). Ice-out is in a couple of weeks, and then, look out!

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Let me know how they do for your area, where do you live? Don’t give the exact place (can’t be too careful online) but rough area? I always like to see where my patterns are working best.

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Oh btw, the fly tying video coming out today (9am pacific time) should be a good one for smallmouth as well. You can tie it in clown coloration also or something bright for the smallmouth. I always had good luck with clown colored jerk baits when I conventional fished for smallies back in the day.

@speterlewis 5 жыл бұрын

@@McFlyAngler Western Maine, about halfway up to the Canadian border. Lots of lakes and streams, but the fishing here is absolutely terrible. If you come, I'll take you. Bring a blindfold and a lot of cash...

@flyfishingsussex 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done fly and video. Thanks and cant wait to try out on trout?

@McFlyAngler 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah should work on trout depending on where and how your fishing. It’s a bit big and heavy, probably tough on a 5wt. But doable.

@lovefishing7519 4 жыл бұрын

Very Nice 👌i made it and i m very happy to résult !!! Thanks you very much for all your vidéo 😁👍👍👍

@McFlyAngler 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it, hope you caught many fish.

@lovefishing7519 4 жыл бұрын

Yes is Nice i want use it for black bass 😜

@McFlyAngler 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Good fly for them absolutely!

@tallpaul1563 2 жыл бұрын

Nice! Been looking for a good Crayfish imitation for river Smallmouuths.

@McFlyAngler 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man, yeah it’s a good one. If you want something lighter and smaller, check out my latest pattern the “mini McCraw”. Video Just came out last week

@hookedupbacklashed 4 жыл бұрын

Love this fly. I have also tied in a black version.

@McFlyAngler 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes black, blue, all could work.

@themakaimercenaries1837 5 жыл бұрын

great I just started tying one myself

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@jeffjackson5331 2 жыл бұрын

This is a sweet little fly bud.

@McFlyAngler 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff

@jeffjackson5331 2 жыл бұрын

@@McFlyAngler you are very welcome bud.

@stewoutdoors3020 5 жыл бұрын

I like it !

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you do.

@kevinschilling6629 2 жыл бұрын

Yep like it

@McFlyAngler 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@seanmooney3907 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Shawn, I really love this fly. Unfortunately, we cannot use lead in Maine. There are laws in each state regarding the use of lead. Non-lead, steel, brass, is all we can use. Anyway, it is a good idea to mention sometimes that there are different laws because if you get caught using lead in Maine, there is a significant fine. Lead is destroying many waterfowl that eat it. Loons are endangered now in Maine thus the law change. Thanks for sharing the pattern, All the best, Sean

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, there are different laws in each state, unfortunately if I discuss all laws from every state or even country in all my videos, they would be ridiculously long. I leave that up to the viewers to know their fisheries laws. Glad you like the fly. So there are a few options for you, that might work. They have painted lead? Not sure if that is legal. Since the lead isn’t exposed. Or they make tunsten dumbbells also, which is even heavier. That is usually legal in most states. Or just go with some really large brass dumbbells. Just you need the weight to get it to sink properly and ride hook point up. I will add the fact that some materials might not be legal in some states in an upcoming video. But not the fly thing vids. I try to keep them short and to the point. Rather than add a lot of info that will make the videos 20 minutes long. But it is a good idea to let people know, so I’ll put it in a discussion video soon. :).

@Three_Rivers_Adventure 2 жыл бұрын

Tungsten eyes ? Not sure if they make those or not.

@dashermike3207 4 жыл бұрын

I like this but I don't use a fly rod. Do you think this would work if tied on some kind of stand up light weight jig head for spinning tackle? Very nice!

@McFlyAngler 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, this would be heavy enough for a lighter action spinning rod.

@bigpapi3636 5 жыл бұрын

I really like the way that fly sat at the bottom, looks like a craw for sure. So the dumbbell "eyes" in this case are just a weight to get the fly to sit correctly? On the anatomically correct craw the actual eyeballs would be at the other end, correct? Not being contradictory, I really like the fly and just trying to figure it out!

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah its just to get weight, and make it sit hook point up. Not for aesthetics. If you want to add eyes, its not hard to do so. Just takes a little more time. I find the fish don't really care that much, and it allows me to tie this super quickly. You could also add Krystal flash with the rubber legs to give it some sparkle. But yes, the dumbbells arent really for eyes, just to give the fly some weight to sink and to ride hook point up. Kinda looks like the tail though, Sorta...

@stewoutdoors3020 5 жыл бұрын

Thinking the same thing. But I tie shrimp not crawdads.

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, same thing with brown shrimp, eyes are more for the fisherman than the fish I find. Haha

@stewoutdoors3020 5 жыл бұрын

@@McFlyAngler valid point.

@jerrypeacock5166 5 жыл бұрын

Fish seem to key on claws when it comes to crawfish, and eyes when shrimp are on the menu. Many shrimp you see eyes and feelers first because they are almost clear. Seems that way in my experience anyway, not to say it's written in stone. This pattern looks great, just to add my two cents, like a clouser, keep weight off eye a little and do not over weight to much. I catch most fish on the fall in slower to still water. Many times you don't feel the bite.

@jerrythefisherman94 3 жыл бұрын

Nice Crawfish Pattern. I am curios. How would this pattern be if tied on a jig as the jig body?

@McFlyAngler 3 жыл бұрын

Probably great for conventional gear. LOL.

@chasingthefish9042 4 жыл бұрын

Sick

@McFlyAngler 4 жыл бұрын

👍

@justin1979ify 5 жыл бұрын

Have you ever tried using a sculpin head weight instead of the lead dumbbell?

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Yes... it works

@j.taylor7361 3 жыл бұрын

I tied this fly up and tested it in a sink full of water to check the action. The ‘claws’ didn’t really stay separated or have individual movement in the water. Is there a mod I can do to make the claws flare out or something? Maybe a little wad of dubbing or something?

@McFlyAngler 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, for in some dubbing between them if you want them to flair more. Then tie up tight to the dubbing ball. It will cause the claws to flair.

@j.taylor7361 3 жыл бұрын

@@McFlyAngler Thanks!

@ETconehome 3 жыл бұрын

I tied it with olive zonkers and a root beer body. Got hits immediately

@McFlyAngler 3 жыл бұрын

Nice, glad your getting bites.

@JohnDozierSr50 3 жыл бұрын

Have you fish this pattern and how did it do?

@McFlyAngler 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve caught a few decent bass yes

@catonhlee 5 жыл бұрын

Do you do custom fly orders?

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, do you have Facebook or Instagram? If so, contact me on there and we can discuss whatcha want.

@catonhlee 5 жыл бұрын

@@McFlyAngler I just sent you a dm on Instagram.

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Cool man I’ll check in a minute

@Nik-gh6gz 3 жыл бұрын

Can we get one more of those guppy flies next? Haha

@McFlyAngler 3 жыл бұрын

Which?

@Nik-gh6gz 3 жыл бұрын

McFly Angler It would be funny If your made a streamer that looks like your guppies in your tanks

@McFlyAngler 3 жыл бұрын

Oh ok

@Nik-gh6gz 3 жыл бұрын

McFly Angler im jk haha

@karmenmua4547 5 жыл бұрын

A really great easy new cray fish pattern is called Themiteycray. It’s created by the fly fishing you tuber miteyquin and has caught me some good fish. Look up is vid and try it! It’s amazing

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

New patterns are created all the time

@karmenmua4547 5 жыл бұрын

True haha it is art! Love your videos!

@McFlyAngler 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks