RAB - Step by Step

[rory]

The scarlet nether-ended prodigy of dubious heritage!

[Babyson]

A RAB is a good cranefly and Cape Dobsonfly imitation. A couple of years ago I was fishing the Holsloot when some dobsonflies started hatching. They looked exactly like a RAB as they fluttered weakly across the water. Besides that, it's a big juicy fly that fish will often move a large distance to eat.

Now I learnt something, did a quick search on Google for cranefly and you can (with a little imagination) see a definite imitation!

thank you Darryl A really nice fly by the way!
Rob

[Andre]

I have a few issues with the RAB. admitedly, I hardly ever fish it, so I am opening myself up to a right slagging (what's new)
Sure it is supposed to be an awesome fly, and thats the problem. I get the impression that it's one of those WTF flies, where in certain conditions it simply is deadly, but only in certain conditions. It's something like "help I can't match the hatch, so let's try a RAB" bang! fish on "Wow, I've cracked the code, what an awesomew angler am I"
How many people ever knew that it is supposed to imitate the crane fly? I certainly didn't. I still thing it's cheating.

[nkula_nkula]

How many people ever knew that it is supposed to imitate the crane fly? I certainly didn't. I still thing it's cheating.

Have you ever seen a dobsonfly (sp?), I would be willing to hazard a guess (seeing there are no absolutes in fishing ) that trout either take a RAB for a dobsonfly imitation, or just take it opportunistically. Although I think a dobsonfly could be part of the cranefly family suborder Nematocera?

Anyone?

[Pipe]

The RAB is a broad spectrum imitator, ranging from craneflies through to mayflies and many other diptera, but it is also an attractor pattern!

[skerpieon]

I have not tied my own flies yet but this presentation sure makes me want to try it! Looks great!

[nkula_nkula]

Here is a quick and dirty step by step for a Poodle RAB.

Hi darryl

Why is it called a poodle rab?

Thanks Liam

[nkula_nkula]

Try "red arsed bastard"

Or "Rough and Bouyant"?

[dlampert]

Hi darryl

Why is it called a poodle rab?

Thanks Liam

Because it's tied so big that it won't fit in a fly box - you typically attach a leash to it and walk it next to you until you need it

[KevinC]

Hi darryl

Why is it called a poodle rab?

Thanks Liam

Because it was tied by a b1tch...