Bodkin / Patterns

Polar Shrimp

Salmon/Steelhead · Steelhead · Salmon · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Heavy steelhead/salmon iron (e.g. Gamakatsu T10-6H), 4-8
  • Thread Black 8/0

Materials

  • Tail Red hackle tips (small bunch)
  • Body Orange medium chenille (1 strand)
  • Collar Orange saddle hackle (1)
  • Wing White calf tail (originally polar bear) (1 clump)

How to tie it

  1. Start the thread two eye-widths behind the eye and wrap back to above the hook point.
  2. Tie in red hackle tips as a tail extending just past the bend.
  3. Strip a little chenille to expose the core and tie it in by the bare core for a smooth start, then wrap the body forward, stopping two eye-widths behind the eye.
  4. Take about four turns of orange hackle, sweeping the fibers back with each pass.
  5. Tie in the white calf tail wing pointing forward over the eye, then fold it back over the top and bind it down. Folding centers the wing and locks it against pull-out.
  6. Build a tapered head, whip finish, and cement.

Tying videos

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