I was enjoying a beautiful early summer day on my favorite river. The morning action was slow and no insects were hatching. I approached some new water where a clearly defined riffle plunged into a deep, boulder-studded run.

Even a small crayfish is a hearty meal for a big trout. Fish crayfish patterns close to a rocky bottom or near structure with occasional movements to mimic the behavior of a natural.

As I was walking through the cool clear water a couple of crayfish scurried for cover. I opened my fly box and saw a crumpled crayfish pattern sitting on top of the neat rows of streamers and nymphs. It was left over from a bass trip, but it got me thinking-do trout eat these?

Full Motioin Crayfish

HOOK: #4 Tiemco 200R. THREAD: Brown 6/0. WEIGHT: Lead or lead-substitute hourglass eyes. ANTENNAE: Black Krystal Flash. TAG: Orange Antron and rabbit fur. SHELL BACK: Brown Furry Foam. EYES: Mono eyes (optional). CLAWS: Tan Zonker strips. BODY: Tan Zonker Strip. LEGS: Silicone rubber legs. RIB: Tying thread or fine wire.

I tied the fly on, lobbed it into the run, and drifted it through the head of the pool near some scattered boulders. A couple casts later, just as the fly drifted through the sweet spot, my strike indicator dipped below the surface.

After the fish vaulted two feet above the surface with a powerful surge, a beautiful bronze- and golden-flanked brown trout just under 20 inches long came to my hand. This was my first, though certainly not my last, encounter with trout eating crayfish patterns.

The fact that crayfish patterns catch fish is no secret. Anglers, especially smallmouth bass fishermen, have used imitations of these little crustaceans for decades. Trout, panfish, and carp also relish these abundant food items that are found in many rivers and lakes throughout North America.
 

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