In my book, the backstabber carp fly should be as ubiquitous as the clouser minnow, or the wooly bugger. Not only is the fly in the same class, but its far more versatile as far as materials and styles in which it can be tied. Perhaps I exaggerate. In my last post I showed how to use mallard feathers to make delicate backstabbers. In this post you get a recipe for a fly at he opposite end of the spectrum. Weather its a crayfish or a sculpin …this fly is sure to do the trick.
In order to get the big fly I wanted here, I tied on size 2 and 4 hooks and used my Hammerhead style to get some size, rattle, and stability on these babies. This fly gets turkey flat pecs, and two 1/8th inch barred zonker stirps for wings, finished with a collar hackle and a weed guard for bottom work. The end product is certainly worthy of large freshwater species and saltwater species as well.
Take note that the pecs look quite large. However, in wet testing the flies, I found a good looking delta wing shape that looks a lot like a sculpin or gobi. And when stationary in the water the wings seem to be just about right for crayfish legs. All in all, I expect to take some heavy fish on these boys soon. This would probably make for a really nice Great Lakes carp fly, and general predator probe.

First the turkey flat pectorals get tied in. The the rabbit goes on top. Whats cool about this fly is that the feathers flare to the sides, but also vertically between the two strips, forming a dorsal fin of sorts.

These Claws tend to float relative to the rest of the fly and waive around quite a bit. I decided to hit the under side of the claws with some marker to put this fly over the edge, don't forget the flared mallard tail.

Notice on this fly how the pectoral fins meet in the center and shoot up. I like this a lot! (Turkey Flats)

This basic color, shape and make up of fly has been absolutely deadly in the past coupled with a weedguard and you have one bad ass sculpin or giant tadpole. This fly rocks. The second set of double eyes went on the rear of this fly. the set up rocks...gives extra room for mid body tie ins and is supper stable for bottom dragging.

Great pattern to have in your Midwestern warm water arsenal. Can be tremendous on Catfish Hybrid Bass and Drum

Same here. Tie this fly with your favorite bright dubbing or estez, nothing to it. Deadly in the right circumstances.






















































