Overview

Designed by Umpqua signature tyer Josh Smitherman in November 2017, the Mountain Lobster imitates a hatchling crawfish.

Smitherman's first version was much larger, and he still uses it for bigger bass, but the smaller version has proven to be the better all-around fly. It moves well in the water and he has fished it across the Texas Hill Country, the Rockies and the Ozarks. When crawfish are plentiful, it is his go-to creek fly. Young crawfish are a common, protein-rich meal for trout and bass in rocky streams.

How to Fish It

• Hop it along the bottom: short strips with pauses make it look like a crawfish scooting between rocks.
• Dead drift: it also works dead drifted through rocky runs under an indicator.
• Creeks: work rocky pools and riffle edges in small streams.
• Bass: fish the larger size around rock piles and ledges.

Choosing Color and Size

Olive is the natural choice for most crawfish. Orange matches freshly molted or brightly colored crawfish and stands out in stained water.

Size 12 matches hatchling crawfish and suits trout in creeks. Size 8 is the bigger profile for larger trout and bass.