Bodkin / Patterns

Hopedale Crab

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

Reference Recipe

  • Hook saltwater (Gamakatsu SL12s / Ahrex SA220), 1/0
  • Thread red (to match eyes) 6/0

Materials

  • dumbbell eyes Red, large (1 pair)
  • craft fur (tail) Rust/tan craft fur (small clump)
  • Voodoo or flash fibers To match tail (few strands)
  • Flex Hackle / Life Flex wrap (body) Rust/brown flex hackle life flex wrap (one length)
  • ice dubbing (head) Rust/orange ice dubbing (pinch)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and tie the large red dumbbell eyes on TOP of the shank near the hook eye, locked with figure-8 wraps and cement so the fly rides hook-point up.
  2. At the rear, tie in a clump of craft fur for the tail/claws, about one shank long, and taper the tips into a wick shape.
  3. Add a few strands of flash over the tail.
  4. Tie in the Flex Hackle at the tail base and wrap it forward in touching turns to just behind the eyes to build the crab body; tie off.
  5. Dub ice dubbing in a loop or a few clumps around and behind the eyes to fill the head.
  6. Whip finish at the hook eye and cement.

Tying videos

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