How to Tie Sportsman Readers’ Special Flies

Alien Crab for Striped Bass

Submitted by Victor Trodella

Thread: Fine clear monofilament.

Hook: Umpqua U401, size 1/0

Weight: Non-toxic dumbbell eyes (large, ¼” dia.).

Crab eyes: Hareline mono crab eyes brown.   ENC40

Crab Claws: EP Crab Claw (brown, large).   OCC-CC-BRL

Legs: Hareline Grizzly Barred rubber legs (olive/medium).   GRM263

Bottom Shell (underbody): EP Tarantula Brush 1” (sculpin color).   OBU-TA1-SC

Top Shell: EP Crustaceous Brush 1 ½” (Olive for a darker green, or Everglades green for a lighter green).

• With hook pointing down, wrap shaft with mono thread to provide a base for materials.
• Tie in dumbbell eyes close to hook eye and on opposite side from hook point.  Criss-cross wrap & parachute wrap to anchor dumbbell eyes; add glue at tie-in point.
• Starting at dumbbell eyes, tie mono eyes (start with full length mono & trim later) one at a time to each side of hook, wrap tightly. Finish each mono eye by bending mono to sides, and secure with 3 wraps at forward edge of each mono eye. Put head cement at dumbbell eyes and hook shank over mono stems.
• Tie a pre-fab pair of EP crab claws near the bead chain and secure one claw to each side of fly as you wrap toward mono eyes at front of fly. Crab claws should extend to the mono eyes or a bit longer.
• Tie in 3 rubber legs at top of fly, make a V-shape with the legs and secure them carefully to make sure 3 legs extend out to each side.  Rotate vise and get the legs where you want them.
• Put a little strip of Zap-Goo on shank between legs and bead chain
• Cut a 3/4” long piece of EP Tarantula Brush and tie onto top of hook against bead chain.  Criss-cross wrap thread to get brush end in between beads.
• Rotate the fly so the point is up in the vise.
• Put a little strip of Zap-Goo on shank between legs and bead chain on this side of the fly.
• Trim the EP Crustaceous Brush to resemble a crab shell shape (sparse is better than dense). Tie in at the bead chain with fibers pointing toward hook bend.  Criss-cross thread over bead chain and whip finish.
• Position the rubber legs where you want them now.  Press top and bottom shells together with flat pliers and hold for a moment. Add head cement at bead chain and knot.  Clear hook eye.
• Trim rubber legs to desired length.

Dream Fly

Submitted by Victor Trodella

Thread: Fine clear monofilament for the body & the wing, then red thread for the head

Hook: Tiemco TMC 300   or   Mustad R74-9672   2XH/4XL  (sizes 4-8)

Body: Sparkle Braid/Over Pearl (SBO) 08-Flourescent Pink

Wing: Thin white zonker strip extended 3/8” beyond bend of hook (longer for stripers)

Collar: Two turns of zonker strip around hook shank

Head: Red thread over monofilament head

Fall salmon and trout like the action that imitates many baitfish.

Smallmouth and striped bass love it, too.

Use a stainless steel hook with a monofilament loop under the longer tail for stripers

Hutnak Special

Hook: size 10-12 Streamer Hook

Thread: Black 6/0

Eyes: Yellow Dumbbell (small)

Tail: Dark-green Marabou

Rib: Gold (brassie size)

Body: Dark-olive Chenille

Hackle: Dark-olive Saddle Hackle

Tying Notes: Tie as you would a Wooly Bugger but with eyes. Secure dumbbell eyes about 1/4 of the hook shank behind the eye. Leave room to tie off materials and build a tapered nose. Tie the eyes on top of the hook and use figure eight wraps first, and then  wraps under the eyes to tighten. Add a few drops of Crazy Glue for added strength.

Kidney Stinger

Hook: Mustad3665A streamer hook, sizes 10-14

Tail: Red wool

Body: Yellow floss

Rib: Silver Tinsel

Wing: White bucktail topped with peacock herl