" Brown Crab "
a how-to by Cap'n Dave Sutton
This is Del Brown's Crab Fly ... often called the Merkin
Click on these images to see the big pictures.
This pattern is probably the most widely used crab pattern used today for Bonefish and Permit. The pattern is on-board the finest guide boats during the most prestigious tournaments like the "SuperFly". This tournament is held before the Redbone Series of contests and is designed so the anglers are using only one fly to catch two different species of game fish. Not an easy chore in the well schooled arena of game fish that we have here in the South Florida.
It is widely said that we in So. Florida have the most intelligent bonefish to be found anywhere in the world. That's due to the fishing pressure put on them by the most prolific guides in the world. Of course we also are known for the largest bonefish in the world, but new grounds are being discovered every day, so we may not hold that title for long. But, all in all, this is, by far, the most challenging shallow water fishing.
Here is a new wrinkle and a few options you can consider while your at the bench. Don't think that this pattern is restricted to fishing in So. Florida ... There are many who use this pattern in New England for Black fish around the rocks and for schoolie strippers in the tidal areas.
Materials List
1. Hooks .... I use Mustad in #34007 ... size 4 to 1/0
2. Body .... brown wool yarn from a craft shop ... colors to match conditions.
3. Tail .... out-splayed tan hackles and some pearl crystal flash
4. Eyes .... red w/ black pupils for this color
5. Thread .... Kevlar orange for it's strength
Tying Steps
1. Start by layering the hook shank half way to the eye, this will give you a good base to start the tie. Tie in a pair of out splayed hackles the same length as the hook, add a third at least twice as long to palmer, and end up by tying in six to eight strands of pearl crystal flash. Trim these all except two, to half the distance of the out-splayed hackles. Leave the other two longer. I know... crabs don't have antenna .... but it seams to work better with them on, rather than off. Palmer the long hackle and tie off ..........
2. Begin to tie in the wool yarn. I have included two pictures on how I tie these guy's on using a white cord for visual effects ... this method will ensure a durable fly and a lighter one. I use a thinned out head cement after every step except the yarn. Due to the "almost weave" you don't need to glue at all. I tie in the yarn in line with the hook shaft then double back with one of the strands to create a loop that gets tied in so strong, that a mad Redfish can't chew it off. This loop also helps get a little bulk on the hook and hold the yarn strands from twisting.
3. As you can see from picture # 4 .. I palmer the long hackle up to the barbell eyes on some. this gives the fly a more soft look to the edges and has produced a lot of permit this year for my anglers. Just remember to trim the yarn before you palmer the long hackle.
4. Tie in your barbell eyes and whip finish. Most of the guides will add a weed guard, which is not shown here. Just add in a two inch strand of hard Mason 30 pound test to the wrap of the barbell eyes .... then trim off just a little longer than the point of the hook.
This is by far the most versatile pattern that I have in my boxes. Rather than using the heavy wool yarn go to a wool fiber and tie in the same way. This will give you a solid body rather than segmented. Tie in a light tan, then a brown strand of wool yarn to produce a pattern, or go with a solid light color, and use a permanent marker to highlight the edges of the body. On and on it goes ... use your imagination ...keeping in mind that most of your crustaceans assume the similar colorings of their surroundings.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Tight lines and quick releases
Cap'n Dave Sutton
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