How to Tie the Alphlexo Crab Fly Pattern

Learn how to tie the Alphlexo Crab fly pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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Whether you're imitating ghost crabs in the Maldives or pursuing tough bonefish in the Keys, the Alphlexo Crab is an important pattern to have on hand. Designed to fool those tough customers, this realistic crab is a great way to convert those follows into strikes. A versatile pattern, you'll want this bug on hand anywhere that crabs are on the menu.

Material List

• Hook: Gamakatsu SC15 (size: 1)
• Thread: Danville Monofilament Thread (size: .006)
• Weight: Chicone's Stealth Bead chain eyes (color: Olive grass; size: 4mm)
• Body: Chocklett's Body Tubing (color: tan; size: 1/4")
• Legs: Hareline Ultra Chenille (color: tan)
• Eyes: Rio Saltwater Monofilament (size: 30lb)
• Adhesives: Loon UV Resin (thick), and Loon UV Colored Fly Finish (color: orange)

Step One

After establishing a thread base, clip off two sets of two eyes from the bead chain. Secure the first pair twenty percent behind the hook eye.

Step Two

Secure the second pair of eyes with figure-eight wraps directly above the hook’s point, on top of the shank.

Step Three

Clip off an inch and a half of the body tubbing material and file the tip end with a lighter to prevent fraying.

Step Four

Slide the tubbing material onto the shank with the center directly over the bead chain eyes. Secure the tubbing behind the rear eye with a whip finish.

Step Five

After clipping the thread, coat the thread wraps with the UV Fly Finish for added durability.

Step Six

Smooth the UV finish with the bodkin, then hit the light before moving on to the next step.

Step Seven

Break the lighter back out and gently taper down the end of the tubbing.

Step Eight

To form the crab’s body shape, apply pressure to both sides of the tubing and push together until a compact football shape is formed. Once you have the desired shape, secure it by making several wraps in front of the first eye.

Step Nine

Like what we did with the back portion of the fly, coat the outer thread wraps with the UV Finish, then hit it with the light.

Step Ten

Clean the tip end of the tubing material by neatly trimming any frayed fabric around the hook’s eye, then gently filing down with the lighter.

Step Eleven

For the Alphlexo Crab’s legs, clip three one-inch pieces from the ultra chenille material. Use the bobbin threader to thread the legs through the flex tubing.

Step Twelve

We are using chenille for the claws as well. Begin by doubling over four inches of the material and clip at the center. Tie the two pieces together with an overhand knot, careful not to pull the knot too tight at first.

Step Thirteen

Next, thread the material through the flex tubbing, directly over the eyes, then tie an overhand knot on the side of the chenille opposite of the first knot.

Step Fourteen

Clean up the Claws and Legs by gently hitting the tip ends with the lighter. This will help prevent the fibers from fraying too.

Step Fifteen

The eyeballs simply consist of 30-lb mono. Insert a two-inch mono section through the body, between the bead chains. Burn the side facing you down to the body, then repeat with another material section parallel to the first piece.

Step Sixteen

Complete the eyes by using the lighter to shape the mono tips into a small ball, then hit them with the UV Fly Finish. Be sure to run the UV Light over the eyes before moving on.

Step Seventeen

Before the Alphlexo Crab is ready to hit the water, bind the pattern together by applying the adhesive over the legs and claws, then hitting the light.