Merkin Crab Material question

[MKDeceiver]

Where can I get the rug yarn, or whatever is used for the body? I live in Needham, MA and can get to any store from RTE9 in Boston to Worcester area.

I checked Outdoor store last night, but didn't find it....Anybody have any alternatives to the rug yarn that performs the same? I've heard of sparkle yarn working also... I guess I could order online, but I want the materials ASAP...

I usually just throw giant Flexo Crabs down Monomony but I want a lighter pattern that I can throw to bones on an 8-weight. I'm going to Keys in a few weeks. I have tons of Flexo crabs, but I want another crab pattern...I know the Merkin is suppose to be a hot fly on the upper keys....


Any tips on this fly will be highly appreciated...I can help you with flexo crabs if you have any questions....

[Ray]

Michael's Crafts in Natick, or any craft store. I use regular old yarn. You can comb it out if you like.

[MKDeceiver]

Thanks Ray...I will check it out...

Hook n Hackle has a bunch of yarn types.

Poly Yarn, Antron Yarn, Wool Yarn, and Sparkle Yarn. Anybody have any experience working with these? I like the variety of fishy colors they offer. I may order from them as I've had good experience working with them in the past.

How do the different types of Yarn compare? Anybody have any experience fishing or tying with the different types of yarn? Which one's are stiffer/softer? It sounds like the POLY yarn floats more than the others. That might be better for a Merkin you want to fish higher in the water column. Whereas a yarn that sucks up water may be better in the sand.

The yarn I have at my house just doesn't seem stiff enough to form a nice crab body and I got it at Jo Anne fabrics...


Thanks in advance

[flytyer]

Generally Aunt Lydia's Sparkle Yarn is the preferred yarn but if you cannot find it then use antron.

Wool yarn and the like are too limp and once wet with have a misshapen body.

A good stiff rug yarn will work also. Look in the craft stores where they have the latch rug crafts.

I used to buy all of the Sparkle Yarn in Wal-Mart but lately they are not carrying it here in the South.

Hope this helped.

[MKDeceiver]

Thanks..

I ended up going to AC Moore in Framingham, MA...Found some decent rug yarn to use...Pretty good colors, all though I'm really only tying dark brown, tan, light brown combinations...

The flies look pretty damn good right now...I'm using plastic coated wire for weeguards(Lefty lives by it), hopefully this will help combat the turtle grass down the keys and come in handy on Monomoy when the nauset weeds blow in...