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Thread: Crab Legs, a new Technique?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
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    Cape Town
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    Default Crab Legs, a new Technique?

    As they say, there is nothing new in fly tying, so I am not sure if this is a new technique. Just maybe something new.

    I used to do my crab legs with knotted rubber legs etc.
    But the problem with the knots, the legs don't always sit the way you want, or at least, not mine.

    When I acquired the latex sheet the other day, my mind started to work.
    (last night, I wanted to tie one of my Lakensvlei crabs, with a latex back etc, and legs etc, but with a glosticks, for the weekend)

    That is when I started to look at options.

    If I cut the legs of the crab out of the latex, to the exact shape, Curved to form (except for the joints) and apply a bit of epoxy on strategic spots, toform the joints, this might look good.
    As they say, the one thing lead to another etc.

    Eventually I had the legs to shape, curved, but the joints, was not exactly, how I envisaged it.

    I started to play around, a little of this, a little of that etc.

    Eventually I had to vises, facing each other about 50 or 60 mm apart.
    I stretched the Latex between the vises and gripped it.
    The curved latex, when stretched, becomes straight, when tied between the 2 vises.
    At first I guessed where the joints were, but it did not work so good. By the 3 or 4th attempt, I marked the exact joints, with a dot of a ball point pen, before I put the piece between the 2 vises.
    Where the 2 spots are, I took the fly tying thread, and started with 3 or 4 turns. I applied a bit of dubbing and wrapped another 3 or 4 turns.
    The whip finish is a bit difficult, as you have the 2 vises, so I cut the thread and did it "manually".
    When completed with the 2 joints, I released it from the jaws and had a look.

    The results have been very impressive, I am not 100% happy, with the results, but as they say, it is a work in progress.

    Next I will try the pincers etc.
    I will post a couple of pics.
    Korrie Broos

    Don't go knocking on Death's door, ring the bell and run like hell. He hates it. (anon)
    Nymphing, adds depth to your fly fishing.
    Nymphing, is fly fishing in another dimension

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Tauranga North Island
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    274

    Default

    Korrie; I like what I have read and am looking forward to seeing some pics.

    Like you I find the Knotted legs etc. do not all behave themselves and refuse to all lie the same way. Fun but frustrating. I hope the solution is at hand.
    A man is only as big as the things that annoy him.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Western Cape
    Posts
    587

    Default

    Thanks Korrie.
    I have just tied my first crab for the salt and as it does look good in the water to me a wonder what the fish thinks?
    If you have time would you post a pick or two so as we can have an idea of the progress you have made.

    Cheers Brian
    " Not tonight baby! I gotta fly"

  4. #4
    FlyFanatic Banned User

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    FOTOS!!!! Jy is nou soos 'n g-string... maak mens net lus! :biggrin:

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Pretoria Gangsters Paradise
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FlyFanatic View Post
    FOTOS!!!! Jy is nou soos 'n g-string... maak mens net lus!
    Lus vir wat, om deur iemand se gat getrek te word?!?

    Maar ek sekondeer die roep vir fotos
    "Hierdie drol het baie vlieë" - Ago 2014.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
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    behind the bar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Korrie View Post
    When I acquired the latex sheet the other day, my mind started to work.
    Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform

  7. #7
    FlyFanatic Banned User

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Scythe View Post
    Lus vir wat, om deur iemand se gat getrek te word?!?

    Maar ek sekondeer die roep vir fotos
    Hehe nee man sies! GEWOONLIK maak 'n g-string net die nodigste toe, met 'n toutjie wat voor en agter verbind... maak mens lus vir wat wel toegemaak word! ;-p

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cape Town
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    I managed to take some photos last night.
    The first one is the original latex sample.
    Then the rest is where I used scud body and life body material.
    The thread and dubbing did not work so easy.
    I was speaking to Cliff from Fishient about the crab eyes and telling him about the "new crab leg" method, when a light when one.
    What about using copper wire for the leg joints. Easy to work with, easy to finish off.
    Later I tried to cut the "rubber/latex" to get a better joint. Still a work in progress.
    Unfortunately, my UV light's battery is flat, but I think you can create lovely shaped legs, by doing a UV knot sense leg joint.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Korrie Broos

    Don't go knocking on Death's door, ring the bell and run like hell. He hates it. (anon)
    Nymphing, adds depth to your fly fishing.
    Nymphing, is fly fishing in another dimension

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    9,050

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    The nice part of the scud back and body materials, is that they come in a great variety of colors.
    Korrie Broos

    Don't go knocking on Death's door, ring the bell and run like hell. He hates it. (anon)
    Nymphing, adds depth to your fly fishing.
    Nymphing, is fly fishing in another dimension

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    None
    Posts
    10,233

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    Korrie, wat van 'n "cutter" maak met die shape van die kloutjie?
    Mario Geldenhuys
    Smallstream fanatic, plus I do some other things that I can't tell you about

    "All the tips or magical insights in the world can't replace devotion, dedication, commitment, and gumption - and there is not secret in that" - Glenn Brackett

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