FLY GALLERY

An extremely effective winter and spring pattern, the Shrimp Cocktail is best fished on a dead drift under an indicator. Works well on spring creeks, tailwater and freestone fisheries and while the fish probably mistake this bright pattern as an egg it produces excellent results at times when fish are not spawning. Either way, it seems this fly is one worth having in the box.

The Shrimp Cocktail is easy to tie and while size 16 works well, this pattern tied in smaller sizes can be deadly. Constructed like most standard beadhead nymphs, there isn't much to fool you with this pattern - the only trick for the tyer is making sure that the darlon tail is attached towards the eye of the hook and secured by wrapping thread back towards the bend of the hook where the tail will actually start.