A question on Shipmans

[mayflyjunky]

Hi all

Which would be your prefered breather material on Shipmans buzzers, antron or aero wing???

I tried to fish them last season but had trouble trying to see them and thought maybe they were sinking. I was later told you don't watch them you watch for takes.

Any views???

Thanks

[Wee Jimmy]

Antron is fine,thats what I use.... I'm not sure if Dave Shipman intended the breathers as a floatability aid anyway....probably more of a sighter.Try whip finishing in front of the front tuft,this will cock it up and make it a bit more visible,rather than it poking straight along in the same plane as the hookshank..One wee trick to aid floatability is to scuff up the seal fur along the top of the fly.....mini mohican sort of style,if ye catch my drift.Just apply your gink onto these pulled up fibres and away ye go....

[humungus]

i agree antron is best although foam and cdc have there day also

[seeker]

Try Arctic fox fur, including of course the fine hair amongst the guard hairs, its the best of all in my opinion. Scuffing up the seals fur as Wee Jimmy says is also a must. Dont bother about seeing the fly -you know where you cast it just react to any rise you see in the immediate vicinity.

[ispy968]

I use a bright white nylon wool, I found that the Antron yarn I had was made with parallel smooth strands that seemed to hold more water by capillary action whereas the more crinkled fibres worked better. Another thing that works well is to use a very small amount of Gink or Dilly Wax on your fingers whilst dubbing the body.

[bigtroot]

Iam a bit differant
I like to use lightning strike indicator yarn, it comes in various colours and has been pre treated with water shed
Dont know if you like the look of it but it works for me and helps the fly sit up high for longer


Tightlines
Baz

[guest15]

I use Mcflylon and its brilliant for the job! antron, polyprop etc all fine but i do not like cdc on shipmans.

The shipmans is a great fly, cast out and count to 20 then pull it back, i get most fish when its being pulled through the surface

[A. Fluker]

You can also use foam which can be good in a high a wave.

[silversedge]

Or no breathers at all,just ragged out to within an inch of its life,deadly.

[mayflyjunky]

Thank you guys

Fantastic replies