Ultimate Shrimp, the final version...

[Henry]

...I keep messing around with the pattern tweeking it here and there. I think this should just about do it. PS...got a nice steelhead on it this morning on a dead drift. A nice hen of about 8lbs.

[striblue]

Henry, please....STOP! ...Make no more changes...it's perfect!

[Henry]

I really value your opinion. Mailed off the package to Scott Leon this morning. He should have it within the week. Hope he goes for it like he said he would.

PS. I mentioned "you" in my write-up", hope you don't mind.

Henry

[Henry]

I'm thinking a tuft of clear mono hairs instead of tan craft fur...translucent effect won't distort the side profile...or am I getting carried away?

I just want a bone to see it and think "SHRIMP"!!@#$...ooh...ooh!!!...yum!!!and nothing else!!!...either pull up to the buffet table or friggin starve syndrome if you know what I mean. I just hate it when a bone madly rushes my fly and puts on the air brakes mere millimeteres from it only to reject it and/or flee in absolute terror over a Renior'ish' impersonation...Sucks!!!

It's always the biggest ones too...doesn't it figure?

[striblue]

That's great Henry....I don't mind you mentioning me to Scott... and good luck. The fact that he wants to see it is a good sign. I would bet we see it in the Spring issue of the Magazine. Both Joe Branham and I just got a contract from a publisher for our book on "Classic Saltwater Flies". It will take about 8 months to research and write and get Photo's done...then another 8 months for it to be ready for release.

[Snuffy]

Henry, Thanks for the advice on this fly. I have attached some photos of it. I tied it on a Mustad 1/0 Hook and intend to toss it to some Reds and trout on my next trip. As you can see I didn;t quite get enough epoxy on the tail section to get some real deep impressions for the wrap.
I'm also having problems with bubbles in the epoxy. I have slowed my stirring of the epoxy and this has helped a little. Any suggestions. Thanks for the inspiration for this fly, Snuffy
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/879441/100_1452.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/879441/100_1453.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/879441/100_1454.JPG http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/879441/100_1455.JPG

[msiler]

Snuffy -
Use 30 minute epoxy and let it sit a few minutes before applying to let the bubbles dissipate at the surface.

Alternately you can warm your epoxy (5 or 30 minute type) over a lightbulb for a minute to "thin" the epoxy. This allows any bubbles to come to the surface and "pop" or dissipate out of the epoxy. Gives you a nice clear finish. Slow mixing helps also as you mentioned

[Snuffy]

Thanks, for the advice. For heating the epoxy, are you heating it after mixing or before, in the tube??

[Henry]

Hi guys,

Snuffy, that's a great first attempt. Looks way better than my first prototype. You might want to thin out the craft fur and leg hackles by half and tie them in a little further around the bend of the hook shank. That way the fly will be sure to ride hook-point-up. Good tie!

Great suggestions Matt. I mix my epoxy on waxed paper with my bodkin. I stir with just the tip to minimise air bubbles...works well. In the case of my fly, I actually like to have some bubbles in it as I feel it adds depth to the shrimp and ends up looking like fine internal details seen in real shrimp.

Thanks for the interest guys,

Henry

[msiler]

Snuffy
I mix my epoxy first and then warm it over a lightbulb or in winter I have a small heater under my tying bench that I use to warm the epoxy (and me - I'm in the basement!). Doing it after mixing allows any bubbles that form after mixing to dissipate

I do not know if it really makes a difference in the long run and yellowing of the epoxy but I mix my epoxy on white index cards (100 for $2 at staples) and I use a metal bodkin or plastic stirrer not wood or colored paper...

Henry
I see your point and agree that in your case the bubbles add to the life-like appearance of your fly! You really thought this baby out well.

Also you asked about using a tuft of clear mono instead of craft fur - how about a little smoke or polar bear colored ultra hair or Polar Fiber, white calf tail or even some of that new DNA fiber (forget the name)...

[Snuffy]

Thanks for the tips, I have a different version on the vice now with some different matereials, we'll see how it comes out... --127-3-