Tying a Bellycrawl Carp Fishing Fly

This is one of the OG carp flies from Mr Kolanda that was on the leading edge of what is now the ongoing movement to design purpose-built flies for carp. We’ve adjusted several materials and techniques, but only because of material availability and ease of tying. There are no changes we can think of to improve this Hall of Famer…

Bellycrawl Carp Fly Tying Notes

• The original underbody is tied with a tungsten Scud/Shrimp body. These work well and we’ve found that a size Medium is a great size. These can be difficult to find, and we sometimes have issues with our dubbing slipping to either side (usually the downhill side) of the scud/shrimp body. A bit of superglue on top of the weighted body can help prevent this. Or….
• Capt Dave C’s recent use of inverting tungsten beads offers an alternative. We show both methods in the video. We like the inverting tungsten bead method for several reasons: 1. We think it is heavier, 2. Inverting beads are easier for us to find, 3. It is easier with the bead method to vary the weight, and 4. We like wrapping the dubbing between the beads…it feels marginally more durable.

Bellycrawl Carp Fly Recipe

• Hook: Gama SL45, size 4-6. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-GAMASL45.html
• Thread: SEMPERFLI Classic Waxed Thread 150D (6/0), Olive. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-SCW60.html
• Tail: Marabou, Olive. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCBOU.html . Alternatives are barred marabou or chickabou. Even the fluff from the base of large streamer hackle feather would work. Craft Fur could also work: https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-PCRAFT.html
• Legs: SemperFli Sili Legs, Orange and Gold Flake. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-SSILI.html
• Underbody 1: Tungsten Shrimp/Scud Body, Medium
• Underbody 2: Raven and Wolf Inverting Beads, 2 x 2.8mm and 1 x 3.3mm or 2 x 3.3mm and 1 x 4.0mm. https://www.discountflies.com/SRCH.html?Search=inverting+tungsten. Place the larger bead in the middle position.
• Dubbing: Raven and Wolf EBT Dubbing, Olive. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWEBT.html
• Belly case 1: Razor foam. Cut to a width ~75% of the hook gap.
• Belly case 2: Strip cut from a clear plastic bag. Cut to a width ~75% of the hook gap.
• Rib: UTC Ultra Wire – Small, Sculpin Olive. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Wing: Same as tail.
• Head: Raven and Wolf EBT Dubbing, Olive. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWEBT.html