Pat Eller's "Clouser Crayfish"

Hook: 3X or 4X long, size 8
Thread: 6/0 Tan, Olive, or Gray
Antennae: 4 Olive Pheasant Tail Fibers
Shellback: 6 - 8 Olive Pheasant Tail Fibers
Head: Dubbed with Crustacea blend Scintilla brand dubbing
Claws: Stripped Brown Rump feathers of pheasant
Rib: Fine Copper Wire
Hackle: Light Dun
Body: Dubbed with Crustacea blend Scintilla dubbing

Tying Directions:

  1. Weight hook according to personnel preference. I usually add .015 lead to back half of hook.
  2. Tie in antennae. Make antennae full length of hook.
  3. Tie in 6-7 olive pheasant tail fibers by the tips to form a shellback. (Green or Tan Furry foam or swiss straw also makes beautiful Clouser shell backs.)
  4. Dub rounded head.
  5. Use soft brown marabou-like pheasant rump feathers for claws. Strip feather. Tie stripped feather behind head on both sides of hook to make claws. I usually make claws a little less than the length of the body. (Do not coat with flexament or other hardener. Let them have life!)
  6. Tie in ribbing material then tie in the hackle.
  7. Dub body tapered toward hook eye.
  8. Bring hackle forward and tie off. Trim hackle across top of fly.
  9. Pull shell back over body and tie in.
  10. Rib over shell back to front.
  11. Whip finish and fish.

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