Tips for tying the EP Permit Crab Saltwater Fly Pattern including a materials list, instructional video, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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We're gearing up for Bonefish and Permit season here at Trident. Maybe you're planning a trip to your favorite Bonefish flat in Belize or chasing Permit in Mexico this winter, too. If that's the case, you're probably preparing now at the vise. The EP Permit Crab is an essential pattern for the saltwater flats angler because of its size and movement in the water. A lively profile gives this fly a ton of action in the water and it's definitely a solid option this season. Tune in as Jared gives us step-by-step instructions to tie this must-have pattern.


Materials:

We've put together a kit that contains all the materials you need to tie this exact fly pattern.

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Step One:

Start your thread and tie in two feathers on top of the hook shank facing each other. Measure the feathers to roughly the length of the hook shank and tie them in close to the hook point.

Step Two:

Tie in the Hareline Dumbbell Eyes right behind the eye of the hook. Use a figure-8 pattern to secure the eyes on the hook shank. After tying them in, reinforce the eyes with superglue.

Step Three:

Tie in the EP Brush and start wrapping the Brush forward. Tie in the Brush directly in front of the 'tail' of the fly and pull the fibers back before wrapping it forward to minimize trapped fibers. After a few turns, put a few thread wraps over the Brush.

Step Four:

Tie in the first set of Rubber Legs. The legs should be roughly equal and even on both sides (although you can trim them later). Tie them on either side of the hook shank.

Step Five:

Continue wrapping the EP Brush forward and tie in the next set of legs right behind the Dumbbell Eyes. Again, make sure the legs are even on both sides.

Step Six:

Wrap the EP Brush the rest of the way forward to right behind the Dumbbell Eyes and tie it off. After tying it off, use a heavy pair of scissors to clip the excess Brush wire.

Step Seven:

Use a Dubbing Brush to pick out the body of the crab. Comb excess hair upwards in a mohawk-style and trim it off on both the top and underside of the hook shank. This trimming style will leave fibers on the side of the fly for a flatter profile in the water.

Step Eight:

After trimming the top and bottom of the fly, pull the Rubber Legs out of the way and trim the sides of the fly. To create a crab profile, cut down both sides of the fly then round the edges off to create a circular profile.

Step Nine:

After you're finished trimming the pattern in a crab shape, use the Dubbing Brush to pick out the sides of the fly including the Rubber Legs. Make sure both sides are even and trim any errant hairs.

Step Ten:

Use superglue to enforce the head and body of the fly. Use the needle of the glue to work glue into the body of the crab for increased durability.

And that's the final EP Permit Bonefish Crab pattern. This crab is the perfect pattern for targeting crustacean-eating fish on the flats. Bonefish and Permit readily eat this pattern when they're cruising the flats looking for an easy meal. This isn't meant to be the most technical crab pattern in the world but the profile and rubber legs give it stellar action in the water.

Questions? 

Give us a call here at the shop at (888) 413-5211 or email us anytime at [email protected].