Bodkin / Patterns

Blind Faith Merkwan

Crab · Permit · Redfish · Bonefish · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater jig or standard flats hook, 2-6
  • Thread Tan 6/0

Materials

  • Eyes Black nickel material (Lead or brass dumbbell eyes)
  • Tail Tan/black material (Tan or black craft fur (X-Select))
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (UV pearl Krystal Flash, sparse)
  • Legs Barred rubber legs (Barred rubber/sili legs)
  • Body Tan carapace (EP fibers or dubbing brush, tan/natural)
  • Weed guard Clear weed guard (Mono loop (optional))

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook, start thread, and lash a dumbbell eye on top near the front so the fly rides hook-point up.
  2. At the bend, tie in a craft-fur tail one shank length long with a couple of strands of flash.
  3. Bind in two pairs of barred rubber legs at the tail so they trail alongside the fur.
  4. Build the crab body forward with EP fibers or a dubbing brush, keeping it flat and shrimpy rather than round.
  5. Cross the body to the front, figure-8 around the eyes, and set another short pair of legs at the head.
  6. If adding a weed guard, tie in a mono loop below the point before finishing.
  7. Whip finish at the eyes, trim the body to a squat crab profile, and cement.

Tying videos

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