The ‘Cruncher’ is a fly that seems to have been very successful on British (English) stillwaters for a few years, for how long I do not
know exactly. Don’t worry, you have not really missed out, it is just a basic flymph pattern, given a snazzy name.
Hook: 10 or 12 wet fly.
Thread: Black or brown.
Body: Two pheasant tail fibres.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Rib: Fine red wire.
Hackle: Furnace or Greenwell hen
Tail: Furnace or Greenwell hen.
There are a lot of variations with fluo thorax, different hackles etc.
It is amazing how often the same old solutions are given a fancy new name.
Donald, thanks for posting that. I have managed to find two recipes and pictures. Both are similar to what you posted. The two flies in those pictures look quite different. I think that I am going to do that fly, and “The Munch” for our local TU chapter’s meeting next month. I’ll only do that if I can have a good trip or two with those patterns. I’ll have to get back to you on how it does in our waters.
Donald, I know that it is typically used for lochs when used in Scotland, but the first picture of one that I saw reminded me so much of the PTN that I have decided to give it an airing, or a swimming, in some of our streams. I’ll let you know how it goes.
BTW, I left this site a little while ago and went over to another web site on which I am a mere lurker, the UK Fly Dressing site. To my surprise, I found that you had been there doing research for me. THANKS! I really am touched by the effort that you took on my behalf. I don’t know why I was surprised. You have certainly shown yourself to be a most helpful Gentleman, in addition to being a very accomplished fly dresser.
As a side note, I am not kidding when I say that I would love to see you publish a lavishly illustrated book of the history of North Country wets. I would like to see you reap the acclaim that I feel you deserve.
Ed.
Thanks for the compliments, but personally I think that there are more than enough books on softhackles/spiders already.
All people have to do is read them, I was bitten by the book bug at a very early age, but have no desired to write one myself.
The research on the Cruncher was interesting, it was originally intended as a stillwater fly, but in smaller sizes would be just as effective on streams. Hope you catch a lot of fish with it.