Bump

Here you go, Chuck.

Thank you sir!!

Thanks for this. I've been looking all over the web for instructions. I tried to guess how they were made and I don't think I ever would have figured it out.

What size hook and dumbbells did you use that worked the best for you?

Also what colors McFly foam did you use?

Thanks again

Willi

I do them mostly in hook size 6 and 4 - been a while since I have had the chance to do some Permit fishing :(, but the smaller ones seemed to work better all around (I think the 6's with a finished body about the size of a dime). I would take some with different dumbell weights - the ones that were a little too light in proportion to their body size were twirling over durning a strip, causing refusals - hence, bigger hook, bigger dumbell needed. Tan and olive worked well, and I actually alternated the colors on some, giving a mottled finished body that produced as well.

Greg,
What did you use for eyes on the crab flies ?

Are they metal or black bead-chain? I've been trying to find the latter down here and can't get it anywhere. Crabs are killer flies for Reds in real shallow weedy water. Sometimes in only 4"-5". Even normal metal bead-chaine eyes will sink too quickly and deep and dredge up the weeds.

Bill - they are pre-fab mono/plastic eyes and they come dumbell-fashion. Not sure who makes them; I'll see if I have a package of them and let you know. Those eyes would be perfect for what you're talking about - they are for appearance only; very little weight.

Thanks, If I know what they are called, I can probably order them from someplace.

Bill - they are made by Spirit River - Mono Eyes Black Large.

I think the model number is MNO-001 and the SKU is 12421 05910