Bodkin / Patterns

Shafer's Living Mysis

Nymph · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Straight-eye scud/nymph hook, 16-20
  • Thread White or clear 8/0

Materials

  • Body Translucent white antron / organza or clear stretch tubing (1 pinch/strip)
  • Shellback Clear scud back or pearl Mylar (1 strip)
  • Eyes Black mono eyes (1 pair, tiny)
  • Flash Pearl Krystal Flash (1-2 strands)
  • Rib Fine clear mono (1 strand)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread at the 75% mark and lay a thin base back to the bend.
  2. Tie in a tiny pair of black mono eyes at the bend, splayed just off the shank.
  3. Bind in one or two strands of pearl flash as a short tail and the clear shellback strip and mono rib, all hanging rearward.
  4. Wrap or dub a sparse, translucent body forward to the 75% mark, keeping it glassy-thin so light passes through, a live mysis is nearly invisible.
  5. Pull the clear shellback over the top and tie it down at the 75% mark.
  6. Rib forward with 5-6 even turns of mono to segment the back and tie off.
  7. Form a small clear head, whip finish, snip, and glaze the whole body with a thin coat of UV resin for that living, watery translucence.

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