I need to send you some of these to try out, Rick. I’ll need to tie more first, so it probably won’t happen right away (maybe this Winter). I’ve got your address.
If the orange colored crawfish flies have their claws represented by the divided bucktail sections, shouldn’t the eyes be on the other end of the hook shank?
True, If you wanted realistic eyes, I would recommend mono eyes between the claws, yes. My own opinion is tying eyes on crayfish patterns is a waste of time, as far as the fish are concerned…but they look cool!
I didn’t design this pattern. I would suggest the bead chain “eyes” are not intending to represent eyes at all, but are there more for the purpose of weight, and to keep the fly riding hook-point-up, and so the pattern falls tail down rather than claws down? Also, when a crayfish moves about slowly on the bottom, it’s tail is extended and the tail fan spread, so the dubbing around the bead chain could represent the tail fan.
Also, the claws are fox squirrel tail. The originator is adamant that squirrel tail is his preferred crayfish claw material.