CrustaceanintermediateMidwest & Driftless
Ozark Crayfish
$6.95
Available Sizes#4 - #8
Color Variations
Olive/OrangeBrown/OrangeRustTan
Ozark rivers have more species of crayfish than anywhere else in North America, and the smallmouth bass have built their entire dining philosophy around this fact. This pattern hits the bottom claws-first and retreats backward through the cobble with the panicked energy of a crawdad that has made eye contact with something much larger than itself. The rubber legs twitch on the pause, and the dumbell eyes keep it oriented properly, because even in fly fishing, presentation matters.
Quick Facts
TypeCrustacean
Difficultyintermediate
SeasonsSpring, Summer, Fall
Target SpeciesSmallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish
Sizes#4 - #8
Best LocationsCurrent River, MO; Eleven Point River, MO; North Fork White River, AR
Where to Fish It
Current River
MO · Ozark River
Eleven Point River
MO · Ozark River
North Fork White River
AR · Ozark River
Map unavailable. Locations for Ozark Crayfish: Current River, MO; Eleven Point River, MO; North Fork White River, AR
Related Reading
region guide
Driftless Area: Spring Creek Paradise
Tucked into the unglaciated hills of southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, and northeastern Iowa lies the Driftless Area — a landscape of cold spring creeks, limestone bluffs, and wild trout that rivals any destination in the country. This is the complete guide to fishing the Driftless.
species science
The Bronze Back: Smallmouth Bass on the Fly
Smallmouth bass fight harder than trout, eat more aggressively than largemouth, and live in some of the most beautiful water on the continent. From Driftless spring creeks to Great Lakes tributaries to Appalachian smallmouth rivers, the bronze back demands respect and rewards understanding.
You Might Also Like
CrustaceanintermediateBlue River Crawdad
$6.95Midwest & Driftless
#4 - #8
Weighted crayfish pattern with rubber legs and dumbbell eyes designed for Oklahoma's Blue River and Lower Mountain Fork tailwaters. Olive/orange coloration matches the native crawdads that trout and bass feed on heavily.
Olive/OrangeBrown/RustTanCopper/Orange
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout · Smallmouth Bass
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateSmallmouth Crayfish
$6.95Great Lakes
#4 - #8
Weighted crayfish pattern for Great Lakes smallmouth. Lead eyes and rubber legs crawl it along the bottom through boulder fields and gravel bars.
Olive/OrangeBrown/OrangeRust
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateNear Nuff Crayfish
$6.50Great Lakes
#4 - #8
Simplified crayfish pattern with a spun deer hair head and rubber legs. Lighter than heavily weighted versions, making it ideal for shallow river smallmouth in clear water.
Olive/OrangeBrown/TanRust/Cream
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Brown Trout
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
BaitfishbeginnerClouser Minnow
$5.95Midwest & Driftless
#4 - #8
Lead-eyed baitfish pattern that rides hook-point-up. Originally tied for Susquehanna smallmouth, now the universal warmwater fly.
Chartreuse/WhiteOlive/WhiteWhiteBrown/Orange
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Channel Catfish
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanbeginnerDriftless Scud
$4.95Midwest & Driftless
#14 - #18
Tied by Mat Wagner
Curved-hook freshwater scud pattern designed for Iowa's Driftless Area spring creeks. Olive or pink body with a shellback imitates the Gammarus shrimp that carpet the limestone stream bottoms.
OlivePinkTanGrayOrange
Brown Trout · Brook Trout
SprSumFallWin
View Details →
CrustaceanintermediateClouser Crayfish
$6.00Southwest & California
4-8
A weighted crayfish imitation that rides hook-point-up for bottom-bouncing through rocky desert rivers. Smallmouth bass in Arizona and Nevada canyon waters can't resist it.
olive/orangebrowntan
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Brown Trout
SprSumFallWin
View Details →