Bodkin / Patterns

Clawdad

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 3XL streamer hook, 1-6
  • Thread Orange 140 denier

Materials

  • Eyes Black lead (medium dumbbell (rides claws-forward))
  • Antennae Brown permanent marker (2 rubber strands)
  • Claws/carapace Rust/tan material (pre-cut craft fur strip)
  • Body Rust rabbit fur blended with goat hair (craft fur or crawfish-orange dubbing, brushed)
  • Legs Barred brown rubber legs (few rubber strands)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start thread; lash a lead dumbbell a third of a shank behind the eye so the hook rides point-up and the claws sweep forward like a fleeing crayfish.
  2. At the bend (the crayfish's head), tie in two rubber antennae splayed forward past the hook eye.
  3. Bind in the pre-cut craft fur strip so its wide, flat end forms the claws pointing forward over the antennae.
  4. Dub or spin a brushed rust body from the bend up to the eyes, packing it into a broad, flat profile.
  5. Add a few barred rubber legs figure-8'd just behind the dumbbell.
  6. Fold the craft fur back and lash it down to form a low carapace, whip finish behind the eye, and snip.
  7. Brush the body flat and trim to a wide crayfish silhouette.

Tying videos

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