lOOKING FOR A GOOD CRAB PATTERN / CHESAPEAKE BAY

Im looking for a good pattern that is of the blue crab of the Chesapeake Bay .

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytyin ... 7fotw.html
I add a rattle to mine
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flyt...otw/permit.jpg


I also make some smaller ones that look something like this.
The one in this photo uses furry foam for the carapace
I use the "loop" side of Velcro dots ('cuz I got 'em free :D )
http://www.sefly.com/images/furry%20foam%20crab.jpg

I was wondering if you ever heard about using a Rag-head crab. I recall someone in Maryland saying they used them and were great.

I was looking around and found some neat crab patterns here:
http://www.feather-craft.com/2007MAster ... sp?page=48

Diane

JRA-

I use a size 1 or 2 (not 1/0 or 2/0) Del Brown Permit Fly mentioned by Dudley (also called a Merkin) substituting strands of dark green and brown yarn to imitate blue claw crabs:

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytyin ... 7fotw.html

Another crab pattern popular down there in the Chesapeake is a simple clouser tie,
Joe Bruces Crab Clouser:

http://chemprof.tripod.com/ccclousr.htm

Crab flies work best for me in early season when there are a lot of small crabs around. This time of year Stripers will most likely be on big schools of baitfish like menhaden (simple ties are 1/0 and 2/0 Blue/White Deceivers, or hollow ties with synthetics like EP Fibers in same sizes) and bay anchovies (size 2 and 4 tan over white bucktail, with throat of short silver crystal flash, or small epoxy surf candies 2-3? long.)

Good flies for top water action now are Joe Blados Crease Flies (made from craft foam) and Lou Tabory Snake Flies (basically a deceiver with a head of spun deer body hair). I use Snakes in white for day, black for night, and fishing them and Crease Flies on a floating line, but you can use them on intermediate or sinkers as well. Here?s a step-by-step for a Snake Fly:

http://www.flyfishsaltwaters.com/sbssnake_fly.htm

Good luck, and keep looking for fish on top!

peregrines