Crane-fly larvae are pretty big meals for trout, especially when high water knocks them into the drift. The larvae are actually good swimmers, so you want a pattern that offers some undulating motion in the water. In this excellent video from Tightline Productions, Tim Flagler walks you through the steps for tying this cool pattern. One of the keys is the monofilament tail guard, which keeps the Zonker strip from wrapping around the hook during the cast and allows the fly to move in a lifelike way underwater.
Crane Fly Larva
Hook: Orvis Tactical Barbless Jig Hook, size 12.
Bead: Black slotted tungsten bead, 1/8-inch.
Thread: Black, 70-denier or 6/0.
Tail guard: 25-pound-test monofilament.
Adhesive: Superglue.
Tail/body: Natural-brown Rabbit Zonker Strip, trimmed on bottom.
Head: Tying thread and head cement.
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