After many years of fly fishing in the surf and experimenting with tying various flies to match the mole crab, common to the Southern Calif beaches, I was starting to give up when i read a series of articles called "The Illusion of Life" by Doug Uyematsu. Using his philosophy as a guide I came up with the current fly. I am sure there are flies similar to this one because this fly is simple and logical. I fish this fly in the surf using a 300gr. sinking line and a short six pound test tippet. The fly can be tied using various shades of gray for the wing to match the crabs in the area where you fish. I also tie the fly without the egg sack to match the males and the times they are not mating. Because the weight is tied so close to the eye of the hook the fly swims with its head digging down into the sand, just like the mole crab digging into the sand. This can cause the tippet material to be damaged so be sure to check it every now and then. So tie a few and have fun.

Hook: Mustad # 3704 #2-#8
 
Thread: Clear Mono
 
Weight: Silver barbell size approprate for the hook
 
Shell/Wing: Any shade of gray, Kip or Calf tail hair

Body: Pearl white tinsel chenille, medium or large in size.

Hackle (Optional): White or Bleached Grizzly
 
Egg Sack: Medium size chenille in florescent red, orange or yellow

Glue: Super Glue

Marker: Black, fine point, waterproof