Fly Tying Inventory
NearNuff Crayfish
Dave Whitlock's realistic crayfish imitation designed for bass and carp. This tutorial demonstrates building the signature silhouette with wool yarn, chenille claws, and a weighted body that rides hook-point-up to avoid snags along rocky bottoms.
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Materials
Heavy wire hook, size 2-8 (e.g., TMC 5263 or Gamakatsu B10S), weighted with lead eyes
Olive or brown 3/0
Lead or brass dumbbell eyes, medium, tied on top to flip hook point up
Olive or rust hen saddle hackle feathers, matched pair
Olive-brown wool yarn or chenille, wrapped full
Thin-Skin or Swiss straw, cut to shape and colored olive/brown
Round rubber legs, tan or olive, knotted
Monofilament or boar bristles, singed at tips (optional)
How to Tie the NearNuff Crayfish
- 1
Step 1
Tie dumbbell eyes on top of the hook shank near the eye using figure-eight wraps. This ensures the fly rides hook-point-up.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap thread to the bend. Select and tie in matched hen saddle feathers as claws, splayed outward, tips extending about one hook-shank length.
The claws should curve outward for a natural crayfish posture.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a strip of Thin-Skin or Swiss straw for the shellback at the rear.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in olive-brown wool yarn or chenille and wrap a full, segmented body forward toward the dumbbell eyes.
- 5
Step 5
At the midpoint, tie in rubber legs on each side, extending outward. Optionally knot them to suggest joints.
- 6
Step 6
Continue wrapping the body material forward. Pull the shellback over the top and tie down at intervals to create segmentation.
- 7
Step 7
Optionally add monofilament antennae at the head. Build a thread head behind the dumbbell eyes, whip finish, and cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oPe-4Jy6Q8
Credit: Dave Whitlock / FFI Fly Pattern Encyclopedia; FFI Fly Tying Video Library