DOC'S WEIGHTED SHRIMP |
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Dr. Myron Weiner
Doc's Flytying Kits
#12 Modena Driv.
Penacook, NH 03303
603.753.8450
docweiner@comcast.net
There are times when weighted flies will get to where the fish are feeding better and faster than the unweighted variety.
This doesn't mean that you can do without sinking lines. When fishing for stripers, for example, I have generally used a sinking line, six-foot leader and a weighted fly.
On the Key Largo Florida flats I use a floating line with a weighted fly. When sight fishing to moving fish you only have a couple of seconds to drop your fly in their path.
Since I generally use a shrimp pattern, I want it on the bottom fast.
How much weight is always an important question. If your fly descends like a lead sinker, it will not appear natural.
A bit of lead wire wound on the hook shank is a traditional method for trout flies. Here in New Hampshire, lead is illegal for some freshwater fishing as lead has been
connected to loon deaths. Lead-Free wire and sinkers are now available.
Some years ago I developed a system of weighting a fly as well as adding to its attractiveness. I use plastic beads.
Here is my chart to tell you the size and number of beads to use with Mustad 34011 hooks. The beads that I use are pearl colored plastic.
They can be found at most craft stores and fabric shops.
| Hook Size | Bead Size | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 3/0 | 5 mm | 5 |
| 1/0 | 5 mm | 4 |
| 2 | 4 mm | 4 |
| 4 | 3 mm | 5 |
| 6 | 3 mm | 4 |
The next question is how to get the beads onto the hook. It will become clear as we tie a fly.
DOC'S WEIGHTED WEEDLESS SHRIMP
Hook: Mustad 34011 size 3/0 bend back, sharpen and debarb
Thread: Danville Flymaster plus 210 waxed, beige color
Tail: Spirit River super hair, tan color
Body: Danville crystal chenille, color beige, size 12
Eyes: Glass beads on monofilament eyestalks. Beads are medium size, charcoal-metaUic color.
Monofilament is Jankai 100-pound test, stalk length is 3/4 inch.
Wing: Thompson ultra hair, tan color
1. Tie in at the hook eye, spiral thread to bend and back to eye.
Cover eye closure with thread. Spiral to center of hook shank.
Tie in a sparse bunch of super hair for the tail (25 to 50 strands). The tail should
begin at the bend back and extend one hook length beyond the bend of the hook.
Spiral thread forward and rearward.
3. At the bend, tie in a pair of crustacean eyes with six figure eight wraps. Whip finish.
Set the eyes pointing rearward and parallel with the hook shank. Paint the figure
eight wraps with a dab of CA glue from a brush cap bottle. Hang to dry.
4. Tie in at the hook eye. Make a dubbing loop and tie it down leaving 1/4 inch for the head.
5. Thread five 5 mm beads on your bobbin threader or better yet my special bead threader.
Put the end of the loop thmugh the threader. Push the beads &om the threader to the loop.
Secure the end of the loop with a hackle pliers so that the beads do not fall off of the loop.
6. Hold the loop and push one bead to the &oat of the loop and position it on top o f the hook shank.
Take six turns of thread around the loop and hook shank to secure the first bead.
Repeat with the second bead leaving 1/64 inch between beads. Repeat until all five beads have been secured.
Spiral wrap to the eyes and cut off excess loop.
7. Tie in at the eyes a twelve-inch length of chenille. First pull off the fuzz for 1/4 inch Tie down this defuzzed end.
It will be less bumpy at the tie in.
8. Paint the bottom of the hook shank with Goop head cement made by mixing Goop and
Toluol balf-and-half (it takes a week to mix well). Spiral your thread to the hook
ye. Palmer the chenille to the hook eye leaving 1/4 inch for the head. Tie off.
When you palmered the chenille you went between each pair of beads.
9. Put the fly in your vise point up. Cut a sparse bunch of tan ultra hair and tie it in at
the head extending past the hook point. Finish the head with a whip finish.
10. Gather the wing with soft cord, yarn or a dental rubber band (1/8" diameter,
force:heavy). Paint the head and wing to within 1/4 inch of the hook point with Goop
head cement. Hang to dry.
11. Cut the tail to one hook length beyond the bend. Cut the wing even with the hook
point. Remove the cord, yarn or rubber band.
This fly, in appropriate size and color will generally take any fish that will take a fly. It is
my go to fly. Fish it in spurts on the bottom.
Go Forth and Enjoy
Qed
Doc
