Flats Crabs

[Jim Miller]

tied on Mustad C68s ss 2/0. Both have oversized beadchain eyes/black. Silileg = legs. Hackle claws.

First is a green crab. Body is estaz grande.

Second is a blue claw. Body is palmered rabbit strip ... one photo dry ... one photo in bowl of water... wet

blue claw looks good when stripped . claws and rabbit hair sweep back like fleeing crab!

[ShaneY]

those are awesome any chance you could give some directions?

[Jim Miller]

Shane
pretty easy..
tie in large bead chain eyes at hook bend. Tie in some marabou for mouth parts. Tie in 2 strands crystal flash for antenna. Tie in 2 hackle tips for claws... splay out. Tie in Estaz grande (or rabbit strip) at bead chain eyes at bend. Do one wrap towards hook eye. Tie off ... but don't cut off. Tie in 2 sets of sili legs to hook shank. Leave legs long. Continue palmering Estaz past sililegs. Tie off again. Secure 2 more sets of sililegs. Palmer estaz past legs and tie off at eye. Form head and glue. Trim length of sililegs.
Take care when palmering estaz past sililegs as to not pin them down... make sure they extend out from body.
Lots of possibilities for body material.... estaz, chenelle, rabbit strip, hackle, deer hair.
:-%

[ShaneY]

Thanks Jim I'll give it a shot when I get a chance.