Huck-Sand-Crab

Description

I have literally been developing this pattern for almost 30 years.  The challenge never was about making a realistic sand crab (mole crab) pattern for the Southern California surf.  the challenge was always about durability.  I could make beautiful Sand crab patterns out of deer hair and soak them in epoxy and one cast into the waves of Carlsbad would destroy them.

Then I stumbled into the flexo crab which is actually a pattern for bonefish, permit, and  other warm water species.   Flexo® is Expandable Braided Plastic Sleeving, whose purpose it is to provide lightweight flexible wire protection used to bundle and protect cables.  In the color Gray this plastic sheath when scrunched up makes a perfectly durable sand crab body.

I tie a titanium bead head right in the middle of the hook So it gets down through the surf in a hurry.  These are a pain in the ass to tie because to secure the flexo into place I have to use a cauterizing iron.

These flies are deadly in the surf and hold up really well.  I still think I can improve the egg sack on the back so that will continue to evolve.  What is most shocking to me is these things actually work really well in the bays too.