One of the most important food sources for trout in Patagonia is the Sammastacus or river lobster. It is one of the three kinds of crustaceans, together with the pancoras and scuds, that inhabit these waters and which are a main source of food in their diet.The areas where I have found many of these View more...One of the most important food sources for trout in Patagonia is the Sammastacus or river lobster. It is one of the three kinds of crustaceans, together with the pancoras and scuds, that inhabit these waters and which are a main source of food in their diet.The areas where I have found many of these lobsters by lifting and moving rocks are the Nahuel Huapi lake and the Limay river, where I have seen them reach the size of up to 5 inches.When these crustaceans change their shells, their color is of a pale reddish-brown and afterwards it turns dark brown, almost up to a greenish-black.Fly tiers around the world have designed patterns imitating these river lobsters because they are widely spread. I chose Brown´s Crayfish because it’s one of the simplest of this kind to tie, and because it has a very natural swim.
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List of materials
MaterialsHook: Mustad 9671 or 9672, # 4 to 8Weighting (optional): Lead WireThread: BlackClaws: a V-shaped bunch of Squirrel tailBody: Dubbing or wool (brown, orange, olive or black)Hackle: Rooster saddle, palmeredShell: Turkey tail or wing, epoxied
Steps
Step 1
In case you decide to weigh the fly, wrap tightly some lead wire around the hook, from back to front, as shown
Step 2
Tie up some squirrel tail hair. The length should be similar to the hook shank length
Step 3
Split the hair strap so it takes the V-shape. Each side should be tied up at the base so they stay independent from each other
Step 4
Tie a segment of Turkey tail or wing over the end of the hook shank
Step 5
In the same place where you tied the Turkey tail or wing, tie the base of a rooster saddle feather
Step 6
Shape the body of the fly with dubbing material or wool
Step 7
Wrap the Rooster feather in palmer style up to the hook eye
Step 8
Take the segment of Turkey tail or wing up to the hook eye and tie it. This will take the shape of the shellbackTrim it off
Step 9
Cover the Turkey tail or wing with a thin layer of epoxyWhip finish and cement
