Grafham Killer Shrimp

[Scratch]

I've been surprised not to a steady stream of 'Killer' shrimp patterns on here since the discovery and annoncement of Grafham's 'Killer Shrimp' problem. Maybe it just needs someone to get the ball rolling? Not that the fish require anything special, or that there aren't any suitable patterns out there already - Hare's ear in various guises, drab dabblers, Czech nymphs etc will do a job, and have already, no doubt, done a job. Just thought it would be nice to knock something 'new' up - it's always nice to have a go at a fresh twist when the latest hatch or fall gets under way, let alone a new species on the loose!

So, I was sat there scratching me bum, and wondering about the body... when I remebered that a forum pal sent me some 'pearlised fish skin' a couple of years ago, which I've hitherto hardly touched. The fish skin has a rather delightful dull pearly sheen to it on the outside, and a much more subtle and dull 'matt' effect on the other side, which is for me, an even more attractive proposition. You have the same sort of colours and pearly business going on, as with 'Mirage' etc, but in a much more subtle and natural way.

By all acounts, the fish are feeding well on the Killer shrimp, but with the season rapidly drawing to a close, I don't know when I'll be down there next to try this one out. Maybe I won't have to make the journey, and they'll arrive at a water near me soon?


Anyway, here's what I cobbled together.... I deciced to go down the wet fly route... for a change and just get a rough colour/profile match.... and loadsa movement - John Mees showed me some of these bad boys in a tank at Grafham... trust me, they zip about, looking for trouble like they mean business! Real nasty pieces of work!

Grafham Killer Shrimp

Hook: B175 size 10, 12 or 14
Rib: Clear mono, or Maxima.
Body: Pearlised fish skin
Body Hackle: Grizzle hen dyed ginger.
Thorax: Squirrel
Head Hackles: Short grey partridge - mandarin duck - long grey partridge
Thread: UTC Brown Olive

[oakham orange]

I love it Rob

Id love to get a chance to fish Grafham next year. If I do, im gonna tie a few of these Intoxicator Shrimp Dabblers up.

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by oakham orange

im gonna tie a few of these Intoxicator Shrimp Dabblers up...

Aye, that one will do a job alright. Nice one Gerg. ....Do a couple of extras mate

[savage take]

you beat me to it rob,. nice tying as always.

[darwin]

Yeppers, all nicely done

[benlikestofish]

Nice tie Rob, im going to get a couple more trips in this year so will try and test it.

I've fished it a few times recently, and a lot of the shrimp have very bright orange legs, and some of the stomach contents of fish had orangey shrimp inside. I've seen some 25mm long!

I've tied and tried a load of new patterns, but haven't shared them as they haven't worked, although the last couple of trips were not that successful full stop!
In fact the orange blob has become almost imitative in my mind now and caught most fish!
After some recent advice on here, I did tie an olive snatcher with light ginger furnace hen hackle and orange JC eyes that me pal Dorras caught a couple of fish on.

[Charliea1234]

In fact the orange blob has become almost imitative in my mind now and caught most fish

Ha, we will get you to the dark side Ben

Immaculate as ever Rob. I was told that hare's ears have been most successful for the bank anglers.

Charlie

[emerger1981]

nice tye's fella's ..i do like a nice shrimp pattern

[mot]

Scratch, wish I could "cobble" something together as nice as that

Originally Posted by Charliea1234

Ha, we will get you to the dark side Ben

Immaculate as ever Rob. I was told that hare's ears have been most successful for the bank anglers.

Charlie

Yep, been working for me in a S10, I mix a tiny bit of pearl glister dubbing in to mine, but thats probably more for me than the fish

[captain]

Lovely tyings but would be wasted against 3 of these expertly fished under a lump of foam...