Lovely Crab eyes

[Korrie]

In my quest to tie crabs, I have tried lots and lots of materials.
I am also looking for exciting new products to tie with.
I stumbled across these crab eyes from Fishient.
or Fishient was so kind as to send me some and in return, to give a report back on my experiences.
I must say they really look good.
The bulb at the end of the stalk has some glitter in it, that might just convince a fish or catch a passing fish's eye.
Go and check the eyes out at your local fly fishing store, you might be impressed.
These eyes might catch your eye. Wink wink

[Ko7Ad]

Korrie they do look great!

But its still too easy to get some cheap mono and make your own...

[Korrie]

Korrie they do look great!

But its still too easy to get some cheap mono and make your own...

You are right. Just need to find a way to get the glitter in the "bulb"

[fdavis]

The Just Add H2O guys miss nothing.

First time I saw eyes like this were off James Christmas' sand prawn imitation. They are worth making yourself as you can play with colours and layers.

A post from March 2012: http://fjdavis.blogspot.com/2012/03/...r-flies-1.html

Korrie, here's how to do it...

Step 1: Burn chosen monofilament so that they make black eyes - old school style.
Step 2: Choose first colour. I like hot pink, red, orange or black. You use any colour that comes in nail polish. Clicks have a fairly cheap range that are going 3 for 2 at the moment. Just expect funny looks from the lady customers and cashier as you check your new nail polishes!
Step 3: Paint the little mono eye with chosen colour. I often do two layers. Let it dry in between. Ask your favourite lady friend about the nuances of nail polish.
Step 4: I use a clear polish with glitter in it to cover the painted eye. Same range as the cheap clicks ones. Let it dry.
Step 5: Use black nail polish and make an 'pupil' at the tip of the eye. Let it dry.
Step 6: Cover with hard as nails. Let it dry. (In the above post I talk about epoxy but have since decided that hard as nails gives a far better finish.)
Step 7: Tie into crab (are any other) pattern.

If you make them yourself, you can make them close to each other and use them in dragonfly, etc imitations.

Options are limited only by your imagination!

[JAG]

Thanks for the info. The eyes look great. Will definatly give it a go.

[muddler]

Korrie, I've used them in tying up a batch of Dron Lee's Cuban Shrimps as well as some crab patterns. They're great. Also very good are their 3D plastic dumbell eyes for streamer patterns.

[Fishient]

Fred,
The original eyes were developed by James Christmas who is one of our pro staff.
We work closely with James on new ideas and tie his Sand Prawn and NYAP flies.

Cliff Rochester

[briansflyfishing]

Have a look at this video.
I think it is the same method discussed here. Really easy. Tied a few and it works.
http://globalflyfisher.com/video/mak...or-shrimp-eyes


Brian

[fdavis]

Hi Cliff

Some great flies from James and yourselves. First time I saw the orange eyes was off his sand prawn fly - a friend brought a couple back from Alphonse and loved the eyes. Started using them immediately on my crabs but ended with red and pink as my favourites.

Brian, the cure goo will be a winner!

[Fishient]

Thanks Fred....
I think the eyes are a real trigger point!