Charlie Rabbit Fly Crustacean Saltwater Hook : #4 Tiemco 411 s (bendback). Thread : 1/0 black Uni thread, 1/0 black. Tail : 2 strands of pearl crystal flash. Body : Rabbit fur, I prefer natural colour from a winter pelt. Eyes : Grey beads on 50 lb monofilament. Wings : Olive marabou.
Tying Instructions 1. First make the eyes by threading the two small plastic beads ( they are about 1.5 mm in dia and are called seed beads in craft/haberdashery shops) onto a short piece of thick mono. Melt one end with a flame, slide the beads to the melted end and then trim the piece to about 5 mm, melt the other end to hold the beads on. 2. Put the hook into the vice point down. Start thread and tie in two stands of crystal flash (about 2-3 hook lengths long). Tie in the eyes at the kink in the hook using a figure of eight. 3. Cut a small bunch of fur (the bunch should be about the diameter of a tooth pick), pick out most of the fluff from around the long hairs and tie in on the point side of the eyes. 4. Turn the hook over so the point is now up. 5. Cut a piece of stiff 50 lb mono about 25 mm long. Tie it in opposite the eyes so that it touches the point of the hook. Trim to 2 mm longer than the hook. You may need to kink the mono to make it touch the hook point. Secure the binding with some head cement. This holds the fur up to give the fly more body and also acts as a snag guard. 6. Cut a larger bunch of fur and de-fluff it. This bunch should be about 1.5 times the diameter of a match. Tie in on top of the mono snag guard. This fur should just reach the tip of the bend of the hook. 7. Tie in about 8 stands of olive marabou on top of the fur, bind the head firmly and with a good soaking of head cement.
Fly Notes The rabbit fur and marabou in this fly gives it a very lifelike movement. Whiting are absolutely fascinated by it but never seem to pick it up - one day I will tie a number 8 or 10 version and see they can manage to eat it then!
Fishing Notes I usually fish this fly in as close to cover as possible on a medium leader of 3 - 4 kg mono and a floating #6 line. The bendback hook and mono snag guard reduce snagging and make it possible to work through cover with minimal chance of snagging. Cast as close as you dare, the fly sinks slowly and if it isn't taken on the drop work out from cover with small strips. Target species Bream, although this fly has also attracted a number of small flathead.
Location Notes Best fished sinking or dead drift near cover - fallen trees, moored boats, oyster racks.
Prey Notes Generalist prawn pattern.
Tier Peter Scanes

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