How To: Tying a Crab Claw
How to Tie a Crab Claw - Using Crab Chenille
From Strong Arm Merkins to Straight-Shooter Crabs, a crab claw tied with 2mm chenille is a staple choice for many saltwater crab patterns. In this quick and easy tutorial we cover how to tie this Crab Claw using the Crab Chenille in the Beige color.
FLY TYING MATERIALS
Crab Chenille - Beige
Lighter/Flame
Permanent Marker - Copic YR04
HOW TO TIE A CRAB CLAW
STEP 1:
Begin by cutting the Crab Chenille into a four inch piece and then fold it in half.
Step 2:
Tip: You can cut the Crab Chenille straight from the card on one side. This will give you many pieces of the exact size you need in a quick and easy manner.
Step 3:
Next, tie a knot exactly as shown in the image. The knot should be around ½” from the end.
Step 4:
Then, cut the middle of the loop that was formed.
A 2mm chenille with a glue-fused core for unmatched durability, available in multiple color options, and the perfect size for all your crab claws, crab legs, worm flies, and more.
Step 5:
After tying knot and cutting the chenille, you should have about a 1 ½” claw.
Step 6:
Next, use a lighter to slightly melt the tips of the claw.
Melting the tips of the claws adds durability by helping to prevent the Crab Chenille from unraveling and provides a more lifelike claw resemblance.
Be careful, all chenille is flammable and will catch on fire easily. A quick touch to the flame is all that is needed.
Step 7:
After slightly melting the tips of the chenille, you should have nice rounded, life-like claw tips.
Step 8:
Finish the crab claws by coloring the tips with a permanent marker.
Finished:
All that’s left to do is to tie them on your favorite crab fly pattern!
Using the glue-fused core of Crab Chenille and slightly melting the tips of the Crab Claws you can have confidence that your fly will have maximum durability.
Sight Cast Fishing Company
Our passion is saltwater fly fishing and we aim to provide top quality flies and fly tying materials designed for all the fly fishermen that live and breathe the shallow flats and backwater marshes. Many of the materials used in this fly are available in the Tying Materials section of the website. You can also purchase this fly and many others that are already tied up and ready to fish in the Fly Shop. Good luck out there on the water!