How to Tie the Micro Craw Slider

Producer: Phil Monahan

Here’s a very cool crayfish/crawfish pattern designed specifically for trout—created by Cheech from Fly Fish Food, in Orem, Utah. It’s a bit smaller than most patterns and incorporates several features that make it easier to cast and fish. Here’s what Cheech says about it:.

I’ve been fishing crayfish patterns for a while, mostly for bass, so most of my flies have been way too big for trout. For this one, I wanted something with a smaller profile and a heavy head that would sink fast and bounce along the rocks if needed. To make sure it rides right in the water, I added a deer hair slider head. The rest of the fly is super simple to tie. Feel free to tweak it however you like—make it as easy or fancy as you want, as long as it catches fish!

Micro Craw Slider
Hook: 1X-strong streamer hook (here a Fulling Mill S1), size 4.
Thread #1: Black, 3/0 or 210-denier.
Eyes: Black nickel tungsten dumbbell eyes, 3.0mm.
Adhesive #1: Superglue.
Butt: Brown Senyo’s Shadow Fiber.
Flash: Black Krystal Flash.
Body #1: Brown Senyo’s Super Satin Chenille, 10mm.
Claws: Worm Tan Leech Leather Strips, cut into claws.
Body #2: Brown Senyo’s Super Satin Chenille, 10mm, mixed.
Body and Claw colors: Sepia, black, brown, and orange indelible markers.
Legs: Brown, orange, and kingfisher-blue Senyo’s Super Satin Chenille, 10mm, mixed.
Leg colors: Black indelible marker.
Thread #2: Black GSP, 6/0 or 100-denier.
Head and collar: Deer hair, cleaned and stacked.
Beard: Rusty brown Ice Dub.
Adhesive #2: Superglue.
Head and collar colors: Black, sepia, and orange indelible markers.
Tools: Dubbing brush, razor blade, cautery tool.