Tying the Hopedale Crab Fishing Fly

If we had to fish only one fly for Redfish in NOLA, this would be it.  We would insist on different colors based on water conditions, but this fly catches all the fish.  We've had difficultly finding a few of the original materials, so we offer a few suggestions on substitutes that have produced for us.

Tying the Original Hopedale Crab Fishing Fly

• Hook: Gama SL12s or Ahrex SA220. Size 1/0
• Thread: color to match eyes. If using raw eyes, red thread for the black/purple version works great.
• Eyes: Large dumbbell eyes (which we will have for sale soon). We like red for the purple/black (https://www.discountflies.com/...), but raw (unpainted) works too (https://www.discountflies.com/...)..  We like Chartreuse for the Chartreuse and White version.
• Tail: Craft fur, tapered into a wick shape. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Tail Flash: Cascade Crest Voodoo fibers, color to match tail. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCVF.html
• Antennae/Collar: Cascade Crest hackle Flash, color to match tail. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCHKLF.html (alternatively, Hareline Polar Chenille works well)
• Legs: Cascade Crest Juicy Legs. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Body: The original recipe calls for Hareline Life Flex Wrap, but we find that Cascade Crest Flex Hackle works very well. We like the stiffness of this material, which keeps its bulk in the water. The material is a bit longer, so we typically trim an 1/8’ off before wrapping. We will have a video on this soon. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Head: Ice dubbing, either in a dubbing loop or tied in a few clumps around the shank. Brush out well. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWICE.html

Tying the Hopedale Crab Fishing Fly with a few Substitute Materials

• Hook: Gama SL12s or Ahrex SA220. Size 1/0
• Thread: color to match eyes. If using raw eyes, red thread for the black/purple version works great.
• Eyes: Large dumbbell eyes (which we will have for sale soon). We like red for the purple/black (https://www.discountflies.com/...), but raw (unpainted) works too (https://www.discountflies.com/...)..  We like Chartreuse for the Chartreuse and White version.
• Tail: Craft fur, tapered into a wick shape. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Tail Flash: Cascade Crest Voodoo fibers, color to match tail. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCVF.html
• Antennae/Collar: Cascade Crest hackle Flash, color to match tail. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-CCHKLF.html 
• Legs: Cascade Crest Juicy Legs. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Body: Cascade Crest Flex Hackle. We like the stiffness of this material, which keeps its bulk in the water. The material is a bit longer, so we typically trim an 1/8’ off before wrapping. https://www.discountflies.com/...
• Head: Ice dubbing, either in a dubbing loop or tied in a few clumps around the shank. Brush out well. https://www.discountflies.com/product/M-RWICE.html