Week 2
Week 2
Del
Brown Crab Fly
By: Michael
Uleski
The Del Brown Crab Fly, the Merkin Crab, or the Yarn Crab, this pattern has many names. But call it what you will, it’s one of the most effective, and easiest, crab flies for the saltwater fly fisherman. This fly sinks quickly and gives the impression of a crab in his defensive posture with the claws raised.
Materials:
Hook: Saltwater,
standard length, Mustad 3407/34007
Thread: 6/0 Unithread
Mouthparts: Krystal Flash
Claws: Hen saddle hackles
Body: Sparkle Yarn
Legs: rubber hackle
Weight: dumbbell eyes
Weed
guard: 40lb monofilament
Instructions:
Insert your hook into the vise. Tie on thread at the eye of the hook. Place a
pair of dumbbell eyes on top of the hook right at the eye. Tie these on by using
a figure eight wrapping pattern to secure them to the hook shank. A drop of
super glue can be added to secure the lead eyes to the shank.
Work your thread back to the bend of the hook. Cut off several strands of
Krystal Flash to make the mouthparts of the crab. These should be kept
relatively short.
Select two identical hen saddle hackles for the claws. These should also be kept
short. Lay alongside the hook to get an idea on length and then clip off the
excess stem. Once selected tie each onto either side of the fly making sure they
curve outwards from the hook.
Cut your sparkle yarn into 2 inch pieces. Tie the first one in directly behind
the claws and mouthparts that you’ve already tied in. The yarn will be tied in
using the figure eight wraps as used for the dumbbell eyes. Make sure that the
yarn stays on top of the hook shank and it is perpendicular to the hook point.
Continue laying down yarn strips as you work towards the hook eye. These will
have a slight space between them. Once at the hook eye make sure the thread is
on the opposite side of the lead eyes than the yarn body.
Clip the yarn in a flat oval shape imitating a crab body.
Cut rubber hackle into strands 4 inches long. Lay one between the different yarn
strands and tie into a square knot. This will secure the legs to the hook shank
and also make them stick straight out from the fly. Continue this down the body
as required till you reach the hook eye.
Add your weed guard by tying one end of the mono onto the far side of the head
and looping it to the side closest to you. Whip finish and cut the thread off.
Use head cement at the head of the fly, also along both sides of the shank and
over the leg knots. The tips of the legs can be made red with a sharpie marker
if you so choose.
A crab fly belongs in any saltwater fly fisherman’s fly box and this easily fits the bill. It is simple to tie and the colors can be adapted to imitate crabs in a particular location. It is fished best with short strips to draw attention but once seen with its claws raised it will quickly become dinner for any fish nearby.
Tight lines…