Crane Fly Larvae Tying Instructions
The crane fly larvae are among the largest sub-surface insect forms in a trout stream. These sub-adult forms of the crane fly can grow up to an inch long. They are of interest to trout because they represent a sizable food form. The larva lives on the bottom so it is important to build in enough weight that you can fish the fly along the bottom where the naturals are found.
Tying the Fly
Start with a 2x- or 3x-long hook and size A black fly tying thread. Wrap a thread base from the eye of the hook to the bend. This thread base is important because it keeps the materials from untwisting and keeps the fly body tight.
Make a tail by tying 5 to 10 dark brown hackle fibers on top of the hook. They should stick out beyond the bend of the hook equal to one-quarter the length of the hook shank. Keep the tail sparse and do not over-dress it. The natural insect larva has a very short tail.
Cut a 3-inch piece of .035-inch lead wire. Tie it in at the bend of the hook and wrap it forward to within one-quarter inch of the hook eye. Tie it down and return the thread to the bend of the hook.
Dub some cream fur onto the thread and make a segmented body by wrapping the dubbed thread three-quarters of the way to the hook eye. Some states do not allow the use of lead for weighting flies. There are lead-free alternatives available. However, the alternatives are not as heavy as lead so it will be necessary to use more of these alternatives to get the same sink rate as with lead.
Dub some dark brown fur, including guard hairs, and make a thorax by wrapping the dark brown dubbing forward to the hook eye. Use either a dyed or natural color. Do not select a fur that has been sheared such as a scrap from a mink coat. It has had the guard hairs cut off. Cut the fur off the hide close to the hide and keep both the fine under-fur and the long guard hairs. Tie off and the fly is complete.
Selecting Materials
Several manufacturers offer two or three-x long hooks. They include Mustad, Gamakatsu, and Partridge.
Alternatives to lead wire are offered by many online fly tying catalog companies such as Orvis, Bob Marriot and American Fly Fishing Company. The wire comes in many diameters.
Natural fur is available from many online sources of fly tying materials such as TCO Fly Shop, W.S. Hunter and Badger Creek.
Tags: bend hook, dark brown, guard hairs, Crane Larvae, Crane Larvae Tying, Larvae Tying