Fly Of The Month

June 1999
FRANK'S CRAB HATCH FLY

By Frank Abbate Jr.

Fly Profile-About 3 year's ago I started receiving many requests for very tiny crab pattern's. A good crab pattern, especially one that sinks, is always a productive and popular pattern to use for bass and weakfish. These were made usually with deer hair or wool, and even granny's knitting yarn. They continue to catch fish and make saltwater fly fishermen very happy. And you know, we all want to be very, very happy.

Frank's Crab Hatch Fly will do just that, or at least help you on your way to bliss. As I mentioned earlier, the requests I started to receive were for very tiny crab imitations that didn't sink so fast. The reason being, was that customers were noticing these swarms of infant crabs, much like cinder worms floating in the new and full moon currents. The larger versions of crab flies just weren't cutting the mustard. The crab hatch fly is tied with a length of Corsair tubing tied over the shank of the hook. This allows the tier greater flexibility in determining the size of the crab carapace and therefore the size of the crab. Try this fly when a crab hatch is evident, but don't be afraid to just drift them along a current, much like drifting a dry fly in a searching mode.

Materials needed

Hook- Mustad 34007, Gamakatsu SP 11 size 4,6, or 8

Thread-mono thread fine

Carapace-1/3" corsair tubing, white or chartreuse

Eyes-burnt 15lb. mono leader material

Legs-thin natural rubber bands

Shell coating- Softex

Marking pen- olive,brown,red

5 minute epoxy

White and pink powdered paint.

Goop

Tying instructions-

Step 1 - Place hook in vice. Tie in thread behind hook eye, and build a light foundation, ending at the bend of the hook.

Step 2 - Cut a piece of tubing approx. 1/4" to 1/2" in length. Squeeze and compress one end and secure at the bend. Lift front end of tubing and wind thread towards and ending at the hook eye. Squeeze and compress tubing at this point and tie off. (compressing and tying down the ends of the tubing causes a slight air pocket, remember that this is not a floating fly, per se, it is more of a suspending fly, sinking ever so slowly)

Step 3 - Burn the end of a piece of mono for the eyes. Make two about 1/4" in length. Slip the pair of eyes into an opening of the corsair weave

Step 4 - Color the eyes black.

Step 5 - Cut 4 pieces of rubber band, and set aside. Turn the fly over and place a small amount of Goop on the belly of the fly and begin placing each of the legs at each corner of the fly. Let dry, about 20 minutes or so.

Step 6 - When the goop is dry, mix a small amount of 5 min. epoxy with a dash of white and pink powdered paint. Coat over the bottom. Let dry.

Step 7 - Brush on some Softex on top of the carapace, let dry.

Step 8 - Color the carapace with the brown and olive pen. Tip the ends of the rubber bands with your red pen.

With this you're done. See we're happy already.

Fishing tip - Try fishing two at the same time with a dropper loop attached.