While the original pattern is tied in size 2 and shades of rusty brown, this fly can easily be modified to match the size and colour of your local crayfish. Crayfish-orange and olive are two additional variations.

Bow River Crayfish

Materials
Hook: Gamakatsu B10S Stinger - size 2
Thread: UTC Ultra 140 – rusty brown
Tail: Sili Legs – fire tip pumpkin/orange
Eyes: Lead dumbbells, medium – red
Rib: UTC Ultra Wire, medium - copper
Body: Cactus chenille, medium – root beer
Wing: Black barred rabbit strips - rust
Flash: Krystal flash -  medium brown
Snag-guard: Two prong 20 lb Mason hard mono
Adhesive: Zap-A-Gap Gel and Premium head cement (available at Pieroway Rod Company)

Step 1. Insert the hook in the vise. Attach the thread across from the hook point and wrap back to the hook bend. Return wrap to the tie in point.

Step 2. Select six Sili Legs and tie them in so they extend off the back of the hook. Trim the legs so they are 1 ¾” in length.

Step 3. At the bend of the hook tie in a 5” piece of medium copper wire and a 5” piece of cactus chenille.

Step 4.Place a drop of Zap-A-Gap Gel on the thread wraps and then figure eight wrap the dumbbell eyes to the top of the hook (This fly rides hook point up).

Step 5a. Wrap the thread forward to a point two hook eyes in length from the eye of the hook.

Step 5b. Palmer wrap the cactus chenille forward making sure to wrap around the dumbbell eyes. Tie off and trim away the excess. Also cut the chenille on top of the eyes flat.

Step 6a. Cut a piece of rabbit strip 2” long and trim the hide end over which the fur lies into a point.

Step 6b. Remove the hook from the vice and impale the rabbit strip at its mid-point. Pull the rabbit strip down until it is at the bend of the hook. Flip and reinsert the hook in the vice making sure that the rabbit strip is now lying parallel to the hook shank on the side opposite the weighted eyes with the fur flowing back and covering the bend/point.

Step 6c. Tie down the rabbit strip at the head of the fly, just behind the hook eye. Trim away the excess rabbit strip.

Step 7. Palmer wrap the medium copper wire through the rabbit hair wing ‘Matuka’ style, securing the rabbit strip. Tie down the wire at the head of the fly and trim away the excess.

Step 8. Tie in 6 strands of krystal flash directly on top of the rabbit fur wing. Trim the flash so they extend slightly shorter than the length of the wing.