Fly Tying Inventory
Panic Shrimp
A spawning shrimp imitation designed by Red's Fly Shop team member Skyler for his first bonefish trip to the Crooked Islands, Bahamas. The Panic Shrimp combines elements from several proven bonefish patterns into a buggy, attention-getting fly with bead chain eyes for a slow sink rate. Its sparse profile and subtle flash make it effective in clear shallow water where bonefish are spooky and selective.
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Materials
Saltwater hook (Gamakatsu SC15 or Tiemco 811S), sizes 4-8
Tan or cream 140 denier
Bead chain eyes, medium, silver or gold
Craft fur in tan/shrimp with Krystal Flash accents
Tan or shrimp-colored dubbing (EP Tarantula Brush or equivalent)
Tan or cream Sili Legs, 2 pairs
Pearl or root beer Krystal Flash, sparse
How to Tie the Panic Shrimp
- 1
Step 1
Mount the hook and start thread near the eye. Tie in bead chain eyes on top of the shank using figure-eight wraps and super glue.
Bead chain eyes provide a slower sink rate than lead eyes, ideal for skinny bonefish flats.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap thread to the bend and tie in a sparse tail of craft fur, about 1.5x shank length. Add 4-6 strands of Krystal Flash.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in a pair of Sili Legs at the tail tie-in point, splayed to each side.
- 4
Step 4
Dub or wrap the body material forward in tapered wraps, creating a shrimp-like profile thicker near the head.
- 5
Step 5
Add a second pair of Sili Legs at the thorax area. Continue dubbing forward around the bead chain eyes.
- 6
Step 6
Build up dubbing around and behind the bead chain eyes to lock them in place and create the shrimp's head profile.
- 7
Step 7
Whip finish in front of the eyes, apply cement. Trim the body to shape.
Keep the overall profile sparse — bonefish in clear water are easily spooked by bulky flies.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-U0Gfq_4uI
Credit: Red's Fly Shop