shrimp patterns

[Scudley Do Right]

Lets see some of your favorite shrimp style patterns. I just made this one and I think it turned out alright.

 

[Zak]

 

[Dustin Chromers]

The number one characteristic I look for in a solid shrimp pattern is not turning upside down when retrieved fast or in current.

 

[Tom Butler]

View attachment 89565

That's great Zak, I think that would work to imitate those freshwater shrimp in the Snake I was looking at a while back.

 

[SKYKO]

I shamelessly took a shot at copying one of yours the other day, haven't tried fishing a shrimpy type pattern yet for SRC but it's on the to do list for November.

 

[Scudley Do Right]

View attachment 89565

What size hook and did you make the eyes?

 

[IHFISH]

Rough/rustic and impressionistic, but worked really well for SRC recently. Followed Michael Jensen's youtube SBS for bucktail shrimp pattern, but used different colors.

 

[Zak]

What size hook and did you make the eyes?

"Larson's Shrimp" Ahrex NS156 Traditional Shrimp, Size 10 (squeezed barb). I did not make the eyes, I bought them. I also bought the shellback: ProSportfisher, Gammarus, Brown, medium. All from Gig Harbor Flyshop, which made the video I followed:

 

[SKYKO]

A riff on the Larson, Didn't have any artic fox or the shell back so subbed synthetics and a strip of mylar, sharpie and uv flow.

How do you all prefer to strip/ retrieve when fishing a shrimp pattern for cutts?

 

[Stonedfish]

A riff on the Larson, Didn't have any artic fox or the shell back so subbed synthetics and a strip of mylar, sharpie and uv flow.

How do you all prefer to strip/ retrieve when fishing a shrimp pattern for cutts?View attachment 89623

If you have a copy of the book Flyfishing for Pacific Salmon II, look on page 89 which describes the amphipod “hop”.
I believe it is also described in Les Johnson’s Cutthroat book as well.
SF

 

[SKYKO]

Thanks SF, I will chase that down.

 

[VMP]

 

[Jake Watrous]

The number one characteristic I look for in a solid shrimp pattern is not turning upside down when retrieved fast or in current.

^ this is the hardest part. Or, at least it was for me with my shrimp pattern. Had to experiment to get foam in the right places.

 

[Dustin Chromers]

^ this is the hardest part. Or, at least it was for me with my shrimp pattern. Had to experiment to get foam in the right places.

It is the hard part. It's also the part the fish look at the most. We all know flies ride with the most bulk seeking the top side. A shrimp is by nature shaped the opposite. But let's really look at shrimp. I mean let's eat these mushrooms and really trip out watching shrimp. Did you see it? When they really wanna move all that stuff folds up and they go for it. Therefore you need a fly that does the same. I like pliable materials that fold out underneath when at rest. When I strip I want them to collapse and allow the fly to ride upright. I don't want a spinning shrimp. They don't do that. At any rate it's something to think about when making shrimp flies. As always less is more and sparse moves most and looks most convincing.

 

[Jake Watrous]

It is the hard part. It's also the part the fish look at the most. We all know flies ride with the most bulk seeking the top side. A shrimp is by nature shaped the opposite. But let's really look at shrimp. I mean let's eat these mushrooms and really trip out watching shrimp. Did you see it? When they really wanna move all that stuff folds up and they go for it. Therefore you need a fly that does the same. I like pliable materials that fold out underneath when at rest. When I strip I want them to collapse and allow the fly to ride upright. I don't want a spinning shrimp. They don't do that. At any rate it's something to think about when making shrimp flies. As always less is more and sparse moves most and looks most convincing.

One of the few patterns that really benefitted from time in the fly tester—until I gave it to @Nick Clayton

 

[Scudley Do Right]

Tried a little guy tonight sz10

 

[Zak]

Tried a little guy tonight sz10
View attachment 89702

That looks really fishy!

 

[SurfnFish]

Tried a little guy tonight sz10
View attachment 89702

really like that one...have used a similar pattern with vg success on Kings at the rivermouth of a small OR river

 

[Kfish]

Here's one overly complicated one I did a while back, it swims right side up really nice in the water like a flatwing and caught fish.



And little amphipods for the winter sippers.

 

[jeradjames]

I really like those little amphipods. What did you use for the eyes?