Bodkin / Patterns

Shafer's Dying Mysis

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Straight-eye scud/nymph hook, 18-22
  • Thread White 8/0

Materials

  • Body Opaque white antron or rabbit dubbing (1 pinch)
  • Shellback Clear/pearl Mylar or scud back (1 strip)
  • Eyes Black mono nymph eyes (1 pair, tiny)
  • Hot spot / dead tag Fluoro orange or pink thread (few wraps)
  • Rib Fine clear mono or wire (1 strand)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread at the 75% mark and lay a base back to just around the bend.
  2. Tie in a tiny pair of black mono eyes at the bend, splayed slightly, then build a short tag of fluoro orange thread behind them, this milky-orange butt is what says dying.
  3. Tie in the clear shellback strip and the rib, leaving both to the rear.
  4. Dub a slim opaque-white body forward to the 75% mark, keeping it translucent-thin, a dead mysis is milky, not fat.
  5. Pull the shellback over the top and bind it down at the 75% mark.
  6. Spiral the rib forward over the shellback in 5-6 even turns to segment it and tie off.
  7. Build a small white thread head, whip finish, snip, and coat the shellback with a thin brush of UV resin or head cement for a wet sheen.

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