Sipsey Claw Craw | Gen. II

[Damon Toney]

Taking time this winter to revise some of my fly designs. Here's gen. II of the Sipsey Claw Craw which is my version of the red swamp crawfish.

Recipe:

• Bucktail: natural, brown or red
• #2 main hook
• #4 stinger hook
• gold bead chain for eyes
• 50 lbs mono for the stinger hook
• brown yarn for body
• 3mm rattle for the underbody

Red bucktail would work. The brown portion of the bucktail would have a red tint, thus more accurately matching the raw swamp crawfish's color pattern.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

It's nice and easy, basic materials - unlike many craw patterns.
This is like one I tried this season. I used a mix of bucktail and silly legs, and it caught a few fish. but I didn't pursue it.
How does it work with dumbell eyes?

[Damon Toney]

I haven't had a chance to fish it yet, so who knows. As with all my flies, I'll be tipping it with cut bait, cured livers of something.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The ones I tied were about size 10, weighted with small dumbells. I've never seen a crawfish in the lake, but I reckon something like them must exist.
Maybe I'll remember to tie some soon.

[Slip Sinker]

Nice looking tie... I like that stinger hook

[Damon Toney]

Yeah, the stinger hook is the way to go, especially when trolling and drifting. I used to get such short strikes, I had to come up with something. Read about tandem hooks in the "Fly Tyer's Benchside Reference" and gave it a shot.

[carl hendrix]

YOU MEAN LIKE SOME OF THESE DAMON ??   I TIED UP SEVERAL OF THESE FOR BOTTOM BOUNCING FOR SAUGER;; SOME ;; JUST FOR TROLLING-- FOR WHAT EVER DECIDES TO HIT !   THE COLORED GLASS BEADS; ARE FROM WAL- MART CRAFT DEPT;; SIZE; 6/0;; HOOKS;; ARE GENERALLY; SIZE 6;S;; OR 8;S  JUST DEPENDING ON WHICH I PICK UP TO USE

[Damon Toney]

Deadly, Carl. What weights were the sinkers.

[carl hendrix]

DAMON;; THESE ARE 1/4 WEIGHTS   WHEN I FISH FOR SAUGER;; I USUALLY HAVE TO USE MUCH HEAVIER WEIGHTS; SOME  UP TO ONE OUNCE;; SO;; USING A SNAP SWIVEL;; MAKES FOR CHANGING WEIGHTS A LOT FASTER AND EASIER...  SAUGER;; MUCH PREFER VERY FAST MOVING WATER !

[Damon Toney]

Nice! Do you run nightcrawlers?

[carl hendrix]

DAMON;; I MOSLY USE NITE CRAWLERS ; CONSTANTLY;; HOWEVER;; GOING FOR SAUGER; ITS MINNOWS !  THATS WHEN THE STINGER HOOK COMES IN TO PLAY !   IVE USED THESE RIGS ; MANY YEARS AGO; HAD FANTASTIC LUCK WITH THEM;; I JUST MIGHT BREAK THESE BACK OUT THIS YEAR !   VERY OFTEN;; YOU CAN CATCH 2 FISH; AT ONE TIME;; FILLS UP A LIVE WELL FASTER THAT WAY !

[Damon Toney]

I gotta get back to raising nightcrawlers.