When it comes to fishing flies that truly perform, the NearNuff Crayfish stands out as one of the most versatile and effective patterns you can learn. Originally designed by the late Dave Whitlock, this pattern has been carried forward by fly tying expert Allen Rupp.
In a recent Anchored Outdoors session, Allen walked us through Dave’s techniques, tying insights, and presentation strategies. Today, we’re sharing some of that knowledge to help you fish the NearNuff Crayfish with confidence.
Why Crayfish Matter
Crayfish are found in nearly every freshwater system in North America. With over 380 species on the continent, they make up a huge part of the diet for predatory fish like bass, trout, and carp. Crayfish spend most of their time on the bottom, which means your fly needs to be durable, snag-resistant, and able to maintain good bottom contact throughout the retrieve.
Getting the Fly Right
Tying the NearNuff Crayfish is all about combining realism, movement, and durability. It starts with a solid mono foundation: a piece of hard monofilament glued to the hook shank and reinforced with thread and adhesive. This foundation strengthens the fly, locks materials in place, and provides a base for adding lead eyes and other features.
The claws are typically crafted from two matching feathers, bonded together for shape and durability. Their length mirrors the body of the fly, creating a balanced profile. A touch of orange paint on the tips acts as a visual cue that draws strikes. For the antennae, a mix of rubber legs and Crystal Flash is used, with each piece cut to a slightly different length. This allows them to flutter and shift individually, adding realistic movement with every strip.
Strong adhesives like ZappaGap, Flexament, and Softex are applied in key areas to hold everything together. This makes the fly tough enough to fish through rocks, stumps, and dense cover, right where the fish are waiting.
Presentation Matters
Crayfish live right on the bottom. If your fly isn’t touching the bottom regularly, you’re not fishing it right. Allen shared several presentation styles depending on water type and depth:
- Floating lines with long fluorocarbon leaders and indicators can work in slower water. The key here is to get the fly down and use the current or subtle rod movements to hop it along the bottom.
- Sink-tip lines offer a more direct way to maintain bottom contact. Keep your leader short and use the end of your fly line to detect strikes.
- Full-sinking lines are ideal when you’re fishing deeper water with heavier currents. Techniques like the jerk-strip or swing-nymphing help you keep the fly low and moving naturally.
In all cases, leaders should be kept short and flies must be weighted properly with lead eyes to reach and stay on the bottom. If your fly is drifting more than a few inches above the bottom, you’re likely out of the strike zone.
Customizing for Your Water
Crayfish come in a wide range of colors and sizes, and choosing the right look can make a big difference. From dark olives to rusty reds and even pale, almost translucent shades, it helps to pay attention to what’s actually living in your local water.
A simple place to start is by matching the color of the stream or lake bottom. If the rocks are sandy, go tan. If you’re fishing over grass beds, try olive. And during molting season, soft-shelled crayfish turn a distinct orange, an easy meal that fish won’t pass up.
Weed Guards and Finishing Touches
Adding a mono weed guard helps keep the fly from snagging in heavy cover, but it has to be done right. The mono needs to be stiff enough to deflect snags, yet soft enough to allow a proper hookset. Trimming and testing them after tying is critical for balance.
Finally, Allen’s method of finishing the head with ZappaGap, rather than traditional head cement, makes for a fast, clean, and durable result.
Explore More With Our Free Insider Membership
This is just the surface of what Allen shared in his Anchored Outdoors session. In Phase 3 of our content library, you’ll find the full NearNuff Crayfish segment, where he breaks down every detail, from tying materials to in-depth rigging and casting techniques.
Become a Premium Insider today to unlock this expert-level tutorial and take your fly tying and fishing skills to the next level. You’ll walk away with the confidence to fish this pattern in tough conditions, and the know-how to tie it right every time.
