Bodkin / Patterns

Fight N Flee Fiddler

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

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard saltwater flats hook, 4
  • Thread Tan 140 denier

Materials

  • Eyes Black ostrich herl (dumbbell/hourglass)
  • Claw Tan carapace (foam trailing claw)
  • Legs Barred tan rubber legs (rubber legs)
  • Body Tan carapace (EP/craft-fur crab dubbing)
  • Weed guard Clear weed guard (mono loop)

How to tie it

  1. Mount a flats hook and lash dumbbell eyes near the front so the fly rides point-up over grass.
  2. Start thread at the bend and tie in a single foam trailing claw kicked up, with a few rubber legs alongside. The raised claw is the fiddler's signature.
  3. Add a couple of barred rubber legs flanking the claw.
  4. Build a low, flat crab body of tan EP/craft-fur dubbing, figure-8ed around the eyes to spread it carapace-wide.
  5. Brush the body out and trim it flat top and bottom so it sinks level and hook-up.
  6. Add a short mono weed guard at the eye.
  7. Whip finish and trim to a compact, crabby profile.

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