The Shafted Backstabber Super Simple Crayfish/backstabber

[esox niger]

Here I go again..serial posting. I think some of you may find this pattern quite effective and simple. it typically produces a smaller sized backstabber, use your scrap saddle hackle or schlappen for this one. cut the thick shaft to fit just inside the hook bend. I lay the feather flat on the bench and smash the thick base where the feather is tied in, to aid tie in and to keep the feather in the right plane when tied down, cement helps keep the feather in place. Though i haven't fished this fly much, i had one tied up that was just tits. The wiggle action was so pronounced! I've never had a fly move like that one(can't guarantee same results with these). I Took a large grass carp on it, then i made an impulsive cast and wrapped it around an overhead tree and couldn't get it back! add some rubber or crystal flash for antenae/baitfish sparkle. No brainer. I will do another puff ball style with Grizzly marabou palmered(or any feather you want) instead of dubbing, and show that in this thread later.

Thread: 210

Hook: Saltwater (for the monsters, long life)

Eye: XL bead chain

Body: Red/Black/Brown/Green/clear sparkle yarn mixed

Wing: Thick Marabou shaft of saddle/soft hackle/schlappen(the red/orange one is grizzly marabou, the dark olive/brown is shclappen)

[Trout Commander]

Here I go again..serial posting.

I don't think anyone will complain about you adding real content. I know I am digging your flies. These types of flies are a style I haven't tied..

[fishinwrench]

There you go with that "orange" business again

I take it that there really is sonething about Carp and Orange? I see/hear that alot from the successful carp chasers. Seems it's either Orange or Black 99% of the time. Does that theory hold water?

[esox niger]

Orange black brown and mixtures of... especialy with a crayfish... I just about never miss a fish with a good presentaiton with black, brown/red (orange) so I never really try to get more crasy than that in my personal fishing life. I tied up some purple flies for my site...and people want purple, do fish? Maybe i should experiment more. As a general rule small and black/brown rocks for all around every species fishing. Had something like 8 species in one day on "my creek" with a Size 6 black fly. oh yeah...bead chain baby! i think the sound of the fly hitting the water is just right....not spooky but inviting.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Do you throw any yellow? It always seemed to me that they were partial to it, but there may have been some other motivation involved.

I'm another one who would like to tap into the carp on a fly. I've caught a total of 3 and 2 were very close to accidental and all were small.

[esox niger]

No...maybe a yellow estez ball with a little plume of barbed marabou...but, in my experience throw something in a carps face without spookin him and its on, usually. .there almost like bluegill, just harder to find and cast too. I'd bet cetain shades of yellow will work just fine and they may be partial to it ...hard for me to say. it may be helpful in murky water to get the fish's attention or where fed by corn....

[esox niger]

here's the Shafted Stabber Craw Ball...you can do this as jsut a ball with some legs and it looks good, Wayne maybe this would be good for you in Chartreuse tied as small or as large as you can get it. nice fuzzy little balls with lots of action.

[eric1978]

Ugly and awesome. I know one guy who ties just about everything in purple...but I don't see much purple stuff swimming around in our rivers and lakes. Right Ronnie?

[esox niger]

straight ball with legs, nothin too it...Grizzly marabou's about it

[Wayne SW/MO]

Do you ever fish blind to commons? I believe they always move up to Powersite when they generate, but they aren't visible.