FYI - The Flexo Crab was originated by Capt Rich Whitner, New Orleans... In the early to mid-90's, Rich was an invited tyer at Federation of Fly Fishers (now Fly Fishers International) shows across the southeast where he often demo'ed this and other of his original patterns.
More lead is a cheat but you can do it. Add a second colored lead or bead chain for a hot spot to make it keel properly. More strategic options are lighter gauge hook, flatter profile, arms that come DIRECTLY off the side, use a loop knot. It can be maddening to get some patterns to ride hpu. Often seems like the best looking patterns are the hardest to get to keel properly
I have good luck with Flexo crabs for bones in super skinny water, so I never tie this heavy lead eyes. For permit you're in deeper water so heavier eyes are needed, but you don't need them for flipping the fly. Sometimes I even use med bead chain or running a couple pieces of lead wire on the underside of the shank if I am fishing for tailers. The key is having the legs and claws come out just above the mid-point (top to bottom) of the body. Maybe permit will refuse a crab like that, but bones eat them like candy. The drag on the legs will flip the fly over before it hits the bottom, and you can test it in a tall glass of water after you've tied it.
FYI - The Flexo Crab was originated by Capt Rich Whitner, New Orleans... In the early to mid-90's, Rich was an invited tyer at Federation of Fly Fishers (now Fly Fishers International) shows across the southeast where he often demo'ed this and other of his original patterns.
Where can you find Fly Flex material?
wirecare.com has it! but only in clear
patricia pezza Whitewateroutfitters.com
BWCflies.com.au have a selection of “colours”.
cannot get this fly to ride hook point up. I've tried moving the lead eyes lower and it helped a little but still flips over......
I would try putting a bigger dumbbell weight on it. Did you ever get it resolved?
More lead is a cheat but you can do it. Add a second colored lead or bead chain for a hot spot to make it keel properly. More strategic options are lighter gauge hook, flatter profile, arms that come DIRECTLY off the side, use a loop knot. It can be maddening to get some patterns to ride hpu. Often seems like the best looking patterns are the hardest to get to keel properly
Yours needs to be much flatter than his to make it ride hpu
I have good luck with Flexo crabs for bones in super skinny water, so I never tie this heavy lead eyes. For permit you're in deeper water so heavier eyes are needed, but you don't need them for flipping the fly. Sometimes I even use med bead chain or running a couple pieces of lead wire on the underside of the shank if I am fishing for tailers. The key is having the legs and claws come out just above the mid-point (top to bottom) of the body. Maybe permit will refuse a crab like that, but bones eat them like candy. The drag on the legs will flip the fly over before it hits the bottom, and you can test it in a tall glass of water after you've tied it.
One fish and those eyes are gone 👍
Great🦀❗
You want all the legs and claws coming out of the sides, not the bottom. Physics all wrong here