First Makings of My Crab Fly

So starting first attempts at claws and legs, getting proportions right
Even testing the floating claws for buoyancy - neutrality
There has been lots of research and reading
And exchanges in Messenger App with other Darwin fly tyers - which has been good - shortens the learning curve
(thanks Sam!)

For the legs I am using some mottled polarfibre others that I am chatting with are using chenille
Had two lengths of fibres in the material box.

The short one would have worked but length made it harder to tie 'knee' knot. The longer fibres were easily trimmed once knot in place

Once tied I placed them on a drawing of my crab to ensure the size was right

Need more thinned silicone on the fibres to hold them together more  - will also give them that stiff leg action if slightly moved across sand/mud to get a fish's attention.

Placed a piece of sticky tape on them to keep the group together for later use - 9 more sets to go!

Next I used some thin black foam and cut a bow tie from it - note proportions to the hook size

This was then tied gurgler style to sides of shank of a small hook.

Then trimmed for claws and sides super glued together. 

Still got to paint one of the claw tips a bright colour - like it is on most natural crabs
9x more sets to go!

I tied a line to the hook and a sinker the other end to ensure it floated despite the hook weight. but not too buoyant as it would effect the sink rate of the fly - so this sort of testing gets that balance right

That's all so far - more to come!

Stay tuned