Crayfish Master class.
Although I don’t fish with super realistic patterns, I do enjoy tying them every now and then. If you are starting from scratch, as I did with this crayfish, it takes a little time to actually work out the fundamentals, scale, hook size, proportions, materials and techniques.
I always start with a morphology image from the visual dictionary, this gives you the basic shape, scale, body segment and leg count. Once this is established I select the materials and then try and plan the correct order to put them together. This can be rather like building a piece of IKEA furniture without the instructions, you get half way and realize that you have left something out! and have to start again.
But for those of you that would like to have a go, I have photographed each step of this pattern, trying not to miss anything out and explaining each stage as I go. Although it looks complicated, its not difficult, but does take some time. You can tie it in stages tie up the legs one day, the claws another etc. So give it a go!
If you have any questions post them in the comments box at the foot of the article and i will try and answer them ASAP.
Good luck.
Hook: Mustad S74SNP # 1 http://www.mustad.no/productcatalog/product.php?id=195
Tying thread: Dyneema http://www.virtual-nymph.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=1&Itemid=26
Beard: Buck Tail
Legs & claws: E-Z Body http://www.e-zbody.com/ coated in Bug Bond http://www.veniard.com/section188/
Underbody: Dubbing
Eyes: EP Crab eyes
Body shell: Closed cell foam coated in Bug Bond
Tail: Three Cock ring neck pheasant neck feathers
Feelers: Stripped cock hackle stems
- 1
Cover the hook shank with a foundation of tying thread

4
Holding the medium tubing and tying thread end in your left hand, make the first joint. Once this is done finish with a half hitch and remove the thread for the next joint. You can coat each joint with Bug Bond or varnish as you go

10
Make sure that when you tie in the first claw that the positioning and scale are correct. once its tied in coat the whippings with varnish

11
When tying in the claws the ends of the E-Z body tubing can be flattened with flat nosed pliers first

12
Now you can tie up all the walking legs. Before you do this seal the ends by burning them with a lighter, taking care they dont catch fire

14
When you start tying in the legs make sure that you position them correctly as realistic as possible

18
Spin some dubbing onto the tying thread and start at the front and dubb in between the legs, making sure you get the right thickness and taper

19
Cut a piece of foam sheet for the exoskeleton. This can be measured against the hook for the correct size

20
Place the foam in the correct position and tie in the first segment between the third and fourth pairs of legs

21
From the underside this first segment should now be dubbed and the tying thread moved behind the rear legs
This entry was posted on March 13, 2014 by barryoc. It was filed under Fly Tying, Step by Step .
Espectacular……..!!!!!!
March 14, 2014 at 4:14 am
No doubt about it = You are one of the BEST out there tying at Flies and then showing how it is done with such Great detail ,, THANKS , I love this site !! Zeke
March 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm
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