In our fly fishing schools and guide trips a crayfish pattern is always recommended. My guides are seeing more crayfish scooting along the river bottom in the 2-feet deep water along our river banks.
Wade down the river fifty feet out from the bank and cast a Murray’s Crayfish straight in toward the bank so it lands a foot from the bank. I use a line hand stripping action which makes the crayfish lunge 4-inches every six seconds which mimics the natural running action of the real crayfish. I strip it out 20 feet in this manner then pick it up and cast it 6 feet further downstream.
Wading downstream to pause every 6 feet and repeating this crayfish action as far as the cobblestone stream bottom continues helps me catch many large smallmouths.
Recommended Crayfish Pattern
- Murray’s Crayfish size 6 for bass and size 10 for trout
- Clouser Crayfish, Olive size 6
- Clouser Crayfish, Dark Brown Turkey size 8
- Standard Crayfish size 4, 6 for bass and size 8 for trout
- Micro Crayfish size 8 for trout
Learn To Fly Fish
We conduct “On The Stream” Full Day Fly Fishing Schools and Half Day Fly Fishing Lessons. Rod & Reel outfits are provided for the day.