Dungeness Crab Larvae

[Papa Ron]

Recently attended a sports show, with a fly-fishing presentation on salt water fishing for salmon. Only caught the tail end of his angle, of this peticular fly. Never getting to witness, his actual pattern. He fishes the southern coast of Oregon, near the Chetco R. Does anyone have a:ray1: pattern out there, they would like to share???

[ralfish]

A pattern, or rather a series of patterns I use locally (Lower mainland, B.C.) all centre around the use of polar bear under hair. I'll wrap the hook shank in holographic silver tinsel or glo pearl and do a sparse wing of polar bear.Some times I ad a hint of colour just under the wing. Washed out pink, peach and chartreuse are faves. The head is black thread. Fished on a clear floater on a long leader and a dead slow retrieve. I keep the fly small, from size 8 to 14.

[Steve Rohrbach]

ralfish, thanks for sharing this pattern. I have experienced resident Coho swimming up and down a beach sipping crab larvae. Do you fish this pattern from the beach or a boat? If from the beach to you try to get in front of moving fish or just let it swing in the tide? I am also curious about what hook you tie it on. I have been frustrated many times when fish are dialed in on this larvae and they won't touch anything else. Thanks for sharing. Steve

[ralfish]

Steve, I always fish from the beach. When I see cruising coho, I will fish the general area that they are in. I let the fish come to me, to avoid spooking them. Cast, count down and a dead slow retrieve. If I am confident that I am covering fish and finding no players I will change up. It is usually only a matter of finding the correct colour, if the fish are fresh in and haven't been harrassed too much by anglers.If they have been around for a while, they can be notoriously tight lipped. Again it is usually a matter of colour.

As for hook, I like a wide gape for better holding once a fish is hooked and typically tie on mustad 3906 or 3906B. Keep the fly small and sparse, not too flashy.