Re: Crayfish for Trout (and Carp)

[Kent Lufkin]

Title: Re: Crayfish for Trout (and Carp)

Dell,

Quite a major upgrade for a first rate reference book.

Kent Lufkin

Our club published a completely new book in 1998, different format and a lot of newer flies.

Dell

----- Original Message -----

From: John Rowley

To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 1:00 PM

Subject: RE: Crayfish for Trout (and Carp)

Dell,

 

I have a 1990 printing of  "Flies of the Northwest" and it is not in there.  What printing is yours?  I too am looking for a good crawfish pattern.  Especially one that is easy to tie. J

 

John

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Dell Coppock [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 11:42 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; WA Fly Fishers (E-mail)
Subject: Re: Crayfish for Trout (and Carp)

 

I have used an immature  crayfish pattern originated by Ben Wolen of Cheney, WA with great success for trout, bass and carp. You can find it in "The Flies of the Northwest" on pg. 68. It is a relative easy to tie pattern.

Dell

----- Original Message -----

From: Jim Speaker

To: WA Fly Fishers (E-mail)

Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 11:29 AM

Subject: Crayfish for Trout (and Carp)

 

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