Nipper Charlie Crustacean Saltwater Hook : No.8 Mustad 34007. Thread : 6/0 Uni thread - (i)red, (ii)green. Eyes : Small nickel bead chain. Wings : Underwing of pearl crystal flash, overwing of white calftail. Both about 2x length of hook shank. Body : Tiewell super salt flouro chenille - pink, yellow. Key : (i)Pink version, (ii)Chartreuse version.
Tying Instructions This is a standard crazy Charlie tie, except for the chenille body. 1) Fasten hook upside down in vice. 2) Tie in bead chain eyes half way along and on the underside of the hook shank. 3) Form fat body with 4-5 turns of chenille tied in just behind eyes. 4) Tie in crystal flash underwing just in front of eyes and calf tail immediately on top of that. 5) Build up head with tying thread and finish with head cement, super glue or epoxy. An extra drop of glue over the thread anchoring the bead-chain eyes helps hold them in place too.
Fly Notes
Fishing Notes Target species Whiting, Dart. Being such a small fly it needs to be used on very light tippets, no more than 0.25mm (3-4kg b/s). Heavier tippet will wreck the swimming action and also spook fish in the clear shallow waters this fly was designed to be used. Heavier tippets also make it too easy to bend the light hook point on snags and fish. Recommend outfits no heavier than 8wt. I suggest 4-5wt gear would make a 750g estuary whiting a very satisfying encounter.
Location Notes Designed for use as a flats fly, try around edges of sand banks & weed beds. Has also been used with success in surf, concentrating mainly on shallow water gutters.
Prey Notes General pattern, but the pink version bears a fair resemblance to a pink nipper carrying roe.
Tier Martin Elphinstone

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