Great Lakes Steelhead: Mysis Shrimp Pattern

[paul taylor]

I would love to let you all think that I came up with the idea of this pattern myself, however, that would just not be true.  I adapted the following pattern from both the listed article and from Ray Schmidt’s Antron Estaz Bug.  After reading this article and speaking with some of the guides and local fly shop owner, I thought that it made a lot of sense about coming up with a pattern for Mysis Shrimp.  As the article states, it’s believed that close to 70% of a Great Lakes Steelhead’s diet is made up of these Mysis relicta.  Basically, I looked at the other Mysis Shrimp patterns, dug through my fly tying materials and found what I thought would work without having to run out and spend money on more materials.  I hope that you all enjoy and perhaps use the pattern yourselves, or maybe some of you may improve upon the pattern and make it better.

I used a size 14 hook, but, I realize for those of you that might be fishing outside of the Erie, PA tributaries, you may want to tie them larger.  We in Erie, PA use smaller flies than some of the larger Great Lakes Steelhead Rivers.

http://www.flymartonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=109

http://www.schmidtoutfitters.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1748

Estaz Mysis

Hook: Any Swimming Nymph Hook
Thread: White
Eyes: Black Mono Eyes or Bead Chain (if weight is desired)
Tail: Four Strands of Pearl Krystal Flash under Cream Hackle Barbs
Abdomen: Metz Arizona Synthetic Peacock Mysis White Dubbing and Cream Hackle
Thorax: Estaz Petite Peach
Front Appendages: Cream Hackle Barbs Extending over Hook Eye

1) Tie on Bead Chain Eyes with figure eight wraps and make sure you tie them underneath the hook so that the fly doesn’t ride hook up.  If you use the Black Mono Eyes you can leave them on top of the hook. Although I have only used the Bead Chain Eyes to help keep the fly down.
2) Tie in Krystal Flash and Cream Hackle Barbs on top.  I make them about as long as the abdomen of the fly.
3) Tie in a Cream Hackle.
4) Dub the Abdomen.
5) Wrap the Hackle and tie off.

[paul taylor]

Step 1

[paul taylor]

Step 2

[paul taylor]

Step 3

[paul taylor]

Step 4

[paul taylor]

Step 5

[paul taylor]

Step 6

[paul taylor]

Step 7

[paul taylor]

Front View

[paul taylor]

Top View

[Zach Matthews]

Bravo!

[anonymous]

Nice post, and I can attest to the effectiveness of the Shrimp!  Mine is a bit simpler, but they really eat them up sometimes.  The Mysis has been my go to under the majority of conditions in Erie for quite some time now.  Here’s one that ate the shrimp the day before turkey day!

[paul taylor]

snaggletooth,

what a great fish!!!!!

[Author]

Posts