Veverka's Mantis Shrimp

Materials

How to Tie the Veverka's Mantis Shrimp

1. 1

   Step 1

   Start the tan thread behind the hook eye and tie the bead chain eyes on top of the shank, a little back from the eye, with figure-eight wraps.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Run the thread to the bend and tie in a clump of tan craft fur so it reaches about a shank length past the bend.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie a painted mono eye on each side of the craft fur at the bend, angled slightly outward.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Add a small tuft of tan rabbit fur at the same spot to suggest the mouthparts.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Make the dubbing: pull the soft underfur from a clump of craft fur and blend it loosely between your fingers.

   Craft fur underfur is normally thrown away; here it makes a shaggy body that comes alive underwater.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Tie a pumpkin Sili Leg on each side of the shank, then dub a short band over the tie-in.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Repeat with one or two more pairs of legs, each separated by dubbing, so the sets sit apart along the shank and move independently.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Dub a full body forward, crisscross the dubbing around the bead chain eyes, and finish the thread in front of them.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Whip finish, add a drop of cement, and brush out the body to make it shaggy.