I'm wondering how
many of you have tied and fished crayfish patterns for trout and what you may
have found in terms of patterns and techniques. I've taken some great
trout on buggers in some of my favorite creeks but there are also a
good crayfish populations and I figure the larger browns and rainbows must feed
on them when the opportunity presents itself.
After looking
through my Fly Patterns of Umpqua Feather Merchants book I settled on the
Softshell Crayfish by Dave Whitlock in the Bass section. Bob Clouser and
Larry Dahlberg also have crayfish patterns, and of course there is the Whitlock
Near Nuff Crayfish... The investment in tying time and materials is
substantial enough that I am trying to eliminate
guesswork.
What are you
personal favorites?
What sizes tend to
represent the crayfish trout are most interested in (if there even is a
preference)?
What is the best way
to fish a crayfish: inch along the bottom with hand-twists? swim
them just off the bottom? short strips vs longer
strips?
Am I barking up the
wrong tree for big trout (stick with the buggers)?
Also, I caught a
large carp (beautiful golden color, yet to identify it) in of these
creeks on a bugger and it's my understanding that carp like crayfish as
well. Any experience with carp on a fly out there? After how hard
this ~4 lb. carp fought I'm interested in hooking up on more of
them!
Thanks in advance
for any advice.
Jim
Speaker
