Imitations of craneflies are very popular in Europe and not without reason, they are great, buggy fishing flies!
“Even though it’s not that often you encounter a real “hatch” of these insects, they tend to be present during most of the summer and trout will take them if they crash land. I tie these flies in three sizes and fish them quite often, not just to imitate craneflies, but more to show fish something that looks very tempting when they are opportunistic (which they are most of the time).
Over time, I’ve tried using many different materials for legs: Pheasant tail fibers, fireline, moose body hair, and more. Last summer and fall I started using Fish-Skull Faux Bucktail fibers for the legs, and I think Faux Bucktail conquers all the other materials. Faux Bucktail fibers are almost indestructible and quite easy to work with. I have developed a way to knot the legs that makes them sit properly and keeps them secure on the hook without any glue. This is the key feature of this fly tying tutorial”.
Flymen Fishing Company
1856 Belgrade Ave
Suite B-4
Charleston, South Carolina 29407, USA