Kreinik Krayfish
Designed by Al Hafner
Materials Needed:
- Hook: #4 - 6 Mustad 9672
- Thread: 6/0 Brown
- Body: Kreinik Heavy Braid (Curry - 2122)
- Antennae: Kreinik Metallic Flash in a Tube (Copper Hi Lustre - 021HL)
- Thorax: Kreinik Micro Ice Chenille, Rootbeer (MIC14)
- Hackle: Grizzly, Brown, or Furnace
- Weight: Fine lead wire (optional)
Tying Directions:
1. Wrap hook shank with thread foundation and add weight to middle third. If you fish with a sink tip line, you do not need to add weight.
2. Tie in 3-4 strands of Flash at the bend of the hook, extending at least 1 inch beyond the bend.
3. At the bend of the hook, build up a small ball of thread. This will help keep the “claws” separated.
4. Cut two 8 inch pieces of Heavy Braid, tie them on opposite sides of the rear third of the hook, leaving 1/2 inch extending beyond the bend of the hook, and the remainder extending forward. The rear extensions will form the claws later on.
5. Tie in the Micro Ice Chenille and tie it off. Overwrap the Micro Ice Chenille with the hackle, tie off, then cut the thread.
6. Using the long ends of the Heavy Braid, weave the body by using the overhand knot technique or the half hitch weave. To help keep track of the different ends, tie a small knot in one end. Braid the body from the end of the Micro Ice Chenille to the eye of the hook. Reattach the tying thread, then tie off the braid, add head cement.
Note: There is a great article on Hatches Magazine Detailing this technique. Click here to see the article.
7. The Heavy Braid forms both the claws and the tail. Use a dubbing needle to pick apart the fibers of the braids extending beyond both ends of the hook.
Other body colors often used for this pattern are: Red (003), Emerald (009HL), Copper (021), Brookie (034), Bronze (052HL), Verdigris (154V) and Mallard (850).