Mole Crab Fly

[saltyh2ofly]

Last summer I tied up a Crease Mole Crab at the suggestion of Markysharky and in the weeks that followed a few West Coast fly fishermen sent me e-mails asking how to. Since it was getting close to fall fishing for albies and the like the mole crab was put on hold. Well with this rotten weather and the rush of cold water to the inshore fishery it's time to hit the vise.
Materials: #1 34007 Mustad, lead wire, silicone legs, catus chenille, Fun Foam, CA glue and mono thread.
Step 1 was to put a bend in the hook about 1/3 the way back from the eye and wrap some lead around the shank from the bend to the eye. Coat with CA medium.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[saltyh2ofly]

Last summer I tied up a Crease Mole Crab at the suggestion of Markysharky and in the weeks that followed a few West Coast fly fishermen sent me e-mails asking how to. Since it was getting close to fall fishing for albies and the like the mole crab was put on hold. Well with this rotten weather and the rush of cold water to the inshore fishery it's time to hit the vise.
Materials: #1 34007 Mustad, lead wire, silicone legs, catus chenille, Fun Foam, CA glue and mono thread.
Step 1 was to put a bend in the hook about 1/3 the way back from the eye and wrap some lead around the shank from the bend to the eye. Coat with CA medium.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[saltyh2ofly]

Step 2..advance the thread to the bend in the hook and tye in the catus chenille at the bend. Wind to the eye, covering the lead, and back to the bend and tye off. Take one of the silicone legs and cut into pieces. I like the silver flake with hot orange tips. Tye these pieces in at the bend on top of the catus chenille.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[saltyh2ofly]

Step 3 take a piece of Fun Foam and cut out a body. Take the foam and in the traditional Crease Fly method, fold in half and cut the body to a shape that is close to the mole crab/sand flea shape. Fish no matter what species that feed in the wash where these little critters live do not have time to look over the offering as they are quick and can hide in the sand with rushing water pouring over them...no small feet for a little creature. My point is you don't have to be exact. Notice that at the tail section (right of the foam) a half moon cut...that is for the eye of the hook to poke thru.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[saltyh2ofly]

Step 4..with the thread hanging down at the bend of the hook move it half way down the shank and fold the foam body over the hook. Poke the eye of the hook out the little hole and fold the tail under the shank. Advance the mono thread and wind down the body and tail. Grab a little foam at the tail to finish off the fly. I life the front of the fly and put some CA glue and hit the catus chenille with the kicker to form an instant bond. Pick out the catus chenille for some legs. You can also trim the foam near the front to finish off the look to your liking.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[saltyh2ofly]

Step 5 finish the fly with some making pens. I like to color the bottom near the tail in bright orange and then finish in a tan color. A thin coat of epoxy for some durablity and shell like feeling when eaten. When fished the fly will sink tail first and sort of look like it's getting ready to burrow into the sand. The fly is fished right in the wash almost on shore as this is the area where the mole crab/sand flea live. I'm sure they get sucked out past the wash and are an easy meal. Blackfishermen use these for bait around the jettys and do well.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[saltyh2ofly]

Here's the real thing .....

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[pmjasper]

I love this fly. Wanted to try some this year but never seemed to get down and fish the wash. Usually out on the kayak fishing the bay side of the Hook. Hopefully I'll give them a shot next year.

[saltyh2ofly]

If you fish trout this is just like nymphing...short cast past the wash and let it roll around then working it back in quick six inch strips like a mole crab suck past his/her safety zone.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!