Crayfish are a main staple on the diet of Carp and Smallmouth Bass in Grand Traverse Bay. Having a variety of 
colored crayfish patterns, (tan, olive, black, and crawdad orange) and weight on the fly (unweighted, lead eyes, and bead chain) are the important parts of fishing for carp and smallmouth bass. During the summer we update the fishing report page, for Grand Traverse Bay, in Traverse City, MI.
Carp Crayfish Fly – Woodstock
Carp Crayfish Material List
- Daiichi 1530 #4-8
- Marabou for Tail
- Krystal Flash
- Whiting “4B” Hen Capes
- Rubber Legs
- Ice Dub for Body
- Bead Chain Eyes
- Saddle Hackle Feather
Add your Daiichi 1530 to the vise and start your thread base
Add your marabou to the tail, we have chosen ginger
Tie in a few strands of Krystal flash, orange or peacock work well
For antennas add rubber legs, an optional step here
Clipping part of the rubber legs so they are only in the rear of the fly
Add your “4B” Saddles for claws, to the crayfish pattern
Tie in your Saddle Hackle to wrap forward later
Add your bead chain eyes, substitute lead eyes if needed
Start adding your dubbing for the body of the crayfish pattern
Continue dubbing the body of the fly
Finished dubbed body, for your crayfish pattern
Wrap your saddle feather forward
Trim your Saddle, allows the crayfish to lay flat on the bottom
Finished Carp Crayfish Pattern