In the often-futile pursuit of the elusive fish known as the permit, fly patterns are granted an uncommon degree of importance. Many veterans of flats fishing debate this emphasis, arguing instead for the theory that a permit ready to bite will take any well-formed crab pattern presented in a natural way.
But when you’ve already spent big bucks and perhaps days of searching to finally get into position to make that one telling cast, an angler wants total confidence in his fly.
Which is where a particular crab pattern tied by Boulder resident Dave Student, a custom fly tyer, comes into play. On a recent trip to the extreme south of Yucatan, Student’s creation caught 3 permit by 10 a.m. one day.
Student doesn’t lay bold claims to creativity, taking his inspiration from guide patterns he observed in the Florida Keys.
“What I added was a change of materials to produce a fly that could be tied for a reasonable price rather than something that takes 3 hours to tie,” he explained.
The fly Student produces with a combination of blending, clipping and marking is designed to sit sideways on the hook to mimic a crab’s natural swimming motion. It combines a remarkably realistic appearance with fluid movement.
A modest fellow, Student hasn’t even given his variation a name out of respect for the guides who created the original. Along with various other of his saltwater patterns, this crab fly is available at the Anglers All shop in Littleton.
