From the Vise - Smallmouth

Thinking about smallmouth more and more this winter. The crew and I are headed out this Sunday, to try to dredge some up with the 63 degree weather. It seems the more I think about trout fishing in the winter the more I miss flip flops and board shorts fishing for smallies. So below are a few flies I have been messing around with this winter, as well as a few standbys that needed some replenishing. Many of these flies have been in my box for a long while now, but some are newer and very noteworthy. One is Pat Cohen's Jiggy Craw, this fly is awesome for early season jigging and slow crawling on the bottom, lots of movement, and a a great profile. The Roamer, which is an awesome baitfish pattern to toss at some pre spawn fish. The Freeze Dried Sculpin (New) which is going to be an awesome all season bug to crawl low and slow in the deeper water. Lastly, the Orange Belly River Crawler, this one took a hiatus from the box last year, but has always been a staple in my warm water boxes.

Smallmouth Food - Crayfish

Warm water fishing has been off to a slow start. It is not because the fish won't bite, but that mother nature wont give up. We have been battling high water the whole month of July. When we do get out it is in less than ideal conditions. So that has left me with lots of time to tie flies, so much time that I don't any more room in my boxes. This is the first post in a series of four that I am doing regarding Smallmouth Food.

El Crawcito is a fly designed by the Fly Fish Food crew. It is an awesome Crayfish fly that has some awesome movement in the water.

Near Nuff Crayfish, Dave Whitlock had this one right, it sinks super fast and keeps a great profile when being striped or dead drifted.

Crazy Leg Craw, This is my variation of Pat Cohen's Jiggy Craw. It is not on a jig hook, but with the lead eyes on the bottom you can get a nice jig action with it.

Schultz's Single Fly Craw, this is an awesome fly for big water bass. It holds a nice profile in the water, and with all the rabbit, there is no short of movment.

Lenny's Crazed J Claw, another masterpiece tied by Lenny. This guy is fully lead wrapped with a tungsten cone behind the eye. She drops and says dropped. Awesome for dredging the bottom. 

I don't have a name for this one just yet, but it is a combination of a lot of flies. It has some Crawcito in it, some Clouser Cray in it, and some of Lenny's Crazed Cray in it. Bass love rubber, so put it on a crayfish and you have something.

Featured Fly - Clawdad

OK, so here is a sweet crayfish fly that has been out for a while now. It was first shown to me by my buddies at Mossy Creek Outfitters, it is relatively simple to tie, but moves like a bandit in the water. On top of that, smallmouth love it.

Materials:

Hook: TMC 300 SZ. 4-6

Claws: Clawdad Tails - Multi Colors 

Eyes: Lead Eyes - Large

Body: Variegated Chenille - Color to match Claws 

Legs: Sili Legs - Color to match Claws

Step 1: Poke the hook through the claws and clamp into the vise.

Step 2: Make a nice base of thread, then tie on your lead eyes, clouser style.

Step 3: Tie in your chenille, and move the thread just in front of the hook point.

Step 4: Make 4 wraps with the chenille, and tie off.

Step 5: Pull the claws forward and tie in, move the thread all the way forward.

Step 6: Wrap the chenille forward, figure 8ing around the eyes.

Step 7: Tie down and cut off the extra.

Step 8: Whip Finish and cut off.

Step 9: Make a small thread base behind the eyes.

Step 10: Tie in 4 rubber legs, on top, bottom, and both sides.

Hint: Pull 4 full legs off, fold them in half and cut. Keep them together until all 4 sections are tied in.

Step 11: Whip finish and cut off.

Step 12: Trim the front legs.

Finished Fly: