This is my first go at the Mole Crab, which is apparently one of the Pompanos favourite meals. Locally we call them Sea Lice, but only recently did I find out that’s a misnomer. “Sea Lice” are actually Amphipods, and they eat fish, not the other way round.
My next one will have a darker section here and there to emphasise the ridges on the back. Its EP Fibre, Gama SL12 2/0, Medium Tarantula Legs.
Well done, will be a pompano killer!
Thanks Konrad!
The only problem I foresee is if you cast it in the surf at Cape Vidal is the hundreds of 3 Spot Pompano that wont leave it alone! Following your blogs with much interest, good luck with the quest
Haha, yes I think I’m going to have to tie them quite big for that reason alone. Its going to be very interesting ….
What book is that? I need to get my hands on something like that, but unable to find anything. Its so useful having visuals of the prey species you are trying to imitate.
Hi Chris, its called the saltwater fly fisherman’s guide to prey
Just wondered what your tying sequence is for this fly. I really like it and while I have about 5 various sand fleas for mole crabs, I would like to add this one to the mix.
Any chance you may have a tying sequence video on YouTube or a tying sequence in photos.
Great looking fly.
Ron Cavalier
Ruskin Florida
Hi Ron, Pretty simple but the Ep is stacked very tight. The other stuff is just tied at either end, and the orange wrapped around.
Great fly!
Those bugs that eat the fish are isopods that are squashed flat from the top. The amphipods are those slightly c-shaped bugs that are squashed from the side.In South Africa you will see hundreds jumping around on the beach if you pick up a piece of kelp (sea weed). I tie floating and sinking amphipod flies and use them with great success for mullets in the surf – the last 2 hours of the pushing tide is best (the waves wash the hoppers into the sea at high tide and the mullets patrol along the beach in very shallow water). On a 3 wt rod it is a lot of fun!