Wiley's Shaggy Craw
Hook: Gamakatsu SC15 #1
Thread: GSP 100
Eye: Large dumbbell eye
Claws: Rabbit strip
Body: Rabbit strip and Senyo’s Shaggy dubbing
Legs: Sili Legs
Flash: Flashabou
Step 1: Place a Gamakatsu SC15 # 1 in the vise and wrap your thread to the bend of the hook and back to about ¼ of an inch from the hook eye.
Step 2: Tie in a large dumbbell eye ¼ of an inch from the hook eye. This should be tied in so that the hook rides up when fished.
Step 3: Bring your thread back to the bend of the hook and tie in a rabbit strip on both sides of the hook. The strips should be a little longer than the length of the hook shank.
Step 4: Next, tie two rubber legs on each side of the fly right were you tied in the rabbit strips. Also, tie in four to six strands of Flashabou on top of the fly in the same area.
Step 5: Now, tie in a mallard flank feather right were you tied in the rabbit and rubber legs. Wrap it forward two to three times and tie off. Cut excess.
Step 6: Tie in a rabbit strip on top of where you tied off the mallard flank. The rabbit should be tied in so that the hair tips are pointed towards the hook point.
Step 7: Now you will take two clumps of Shaggy dubbing and tie them one in front of each other, starting at where you tied in the rabbit strip and ending behind the dumbbell eye. Note, if the dubbing is too long on the sides don’t worry you can trim it after the fly is completed.
Step 8: Fold the rabbit strip over the dubbing and eye. Tie off the rabbit after the eye, whip finish, glue and cut thread and excess rabbit.
This fly has lots of movement and works well in any area that crawfish are present. Don’t be afraid to go a little wild with this pattern and do some different color combos. This fly can be tailored to fit any water type you fish from muddy water in the spring to the clear waters of the late summer. This fly will work well for any of the bass species as well as trout. I can’t tell you how many trout I have caught on craw fish patterns in deep pools. So next time you need to get down and hop crawdads on the bottom give this one a try, and hold on! Aaron Wiley is a smallmouth guide and can be found at Schultz Outfitters
