A Carp Fly: The Crawdaddy

Tied by Justin Watkins

Hook:                #8-12, usually #10

Thread:             any color to match body

Head:                DB eyes or conehead

Tail:                  marabou

Body:                chenille

Hackle:             any, size/color to match body

Overbody:          6-10 peacock herl feathers

Variation:          rubber legs

Tie this pattern in rusty browns or greens – try different color variations.  This is an amazingly effective carp fly.  It was my experience in 2006 that if you get this fly in the cone of sight of a feeding carp, it will eat it.  It’s fast-sinking, so it’s not great for cruising or resting carp, but if the tail is up and you can deliver the fly, you will almost surely get a take.  You can add rubber legs for extra motion.