Fed’s Craft Shrimp
“Fed’s Craft Shrimp” is a nifty little saltwater pattern that effectively imitates the small shrimp that are a primary food source for many estuary fish.
The fly features a realistic design that combines the use of unstripped poly yarn for the body and UV resin for durability and lifelike appearance. Additionally, home-made plastic bead strips are used to create the distinctive shrimp eyes, adding to the overall realism of the fly.
Steps to Create the Eyes:
- Cut 5 cm pieces of plastic cord – enough for all the flies you plan to tie.
- Melt a small tip at one end of the cord.
- Slide two small glass beads onto the cord.
- Melt the other end to secure the beads.
- Dip each bead into a drop of UV resin, placed on a piece of paper.
- Cure the resin with UV light, creating durable, realistic eyes.
- Repeat the process for the other side.
Steps to Prepare the Poly Yarn:
- Cut 7 cm pieces of unstripped poly yarn.
- Flatten one end to form the shrimp tail tip.
- Coat the flattened end with UV resin and press it flat to secure its shape.
With these steps, you’ll have the core components of “Fed’s Craft Shrimp” ready for assembly.
Materials
- Hook: Bass hook, size 4
- Thread: White woolly nylon
- Feelers: 6 strands of crystal flash
- Head: Unstripped poly yarn, UV resin on one end
- Eyes: Homemade plastic bead strips
- Legs: White/black crystal rubber legs
- Body: Tan EP Crustacean Brush with micro legs
Tying Instructions
- Small dab of Sally Hansen’s on the hook.
- Cover the hook with thread.
- Tie in the feelers on top of the hook.
- Thread back to mid-point.
- Tie in two rubber legs on each side of the hook.
- Tie in the poly yarn along the top of the hook – the UV resin end over the eye of the hook.
- Tie in two the eyes on each side of the hook.
- Make a dubbing look with 2cm of EP fibres cut from the brush.
- Wrap a tapered body back to behind the eye.
- Tie off and whip finish.
- Trim the poly yarn to show head and tail.
