The Leonard Shrimp "Fly of the Week #135

Leonard Shrimp
By Rich Johnson, Alaska, USA
Our thanks to the Alaska Fly Fishers for use permission!

Leonard Shrimp

Bernie Leonard

This fly is an original creation of longtime Alaskan Bennie Leonard, (shown on the right). Developed to imitate a shrimp profile with lots of sparkle the Leonard Shrimp was first used just for salmon. However, over the years a wide variety of game fish became victims to Bennie's creation. The Leonard Shrimp is now tied and fished in sizes that range from #4/0 to #10" for grayling and lakers.

Materials List:

Hook: UTE Salmon - #1/0 - #4 - #10 (we are using a #1/0 for this demonstration) and #3/0 or #4/0 Gamakatsu Octopus for saltwater.

Thread: Danville Plus, Fluorescent Orange.

Lead: .030 for #1/0 - .025 for #4 - .020 for #10.

Body: Cactus Chenille, two colors twisted (Ice Chenille for #10 hook).

Foot: Golden Pheasant Tippet.

Carapace: 1st layer - KaleidowrapTM Prismatic Foil, Purple/Silver
2nd layer - Krystal Flash (two colors)
3rd layer - Edgebrite, Green or Fluorescent Green (Chartreuse)
Note: Bennie uses widths of 1/2" for #1/0;
Note: Substitutions: Prismatic Reflections (Premium Polywrap - Christmas wrap) made by Filcas [this is the stuff that FAOL's own slicfoot found!!) and Glitterwrap, made by Glitterwrap Inc of Rockaway, NJ. Bennie prefers the "silver" colored paper over the other colors (if you can't get the purple on one side & silver/prismatic on the other).

Rib: Tying thread (4 segments for #1/0 or #4 - 3 segments on a #10).

Head: Built-up tying thread.

Tying Instructions:

1. Measure out three feet (3') of your tying thread for the rib. Starting at mid shank attach your thread to the rear. Wrap on .030 lead over the rear 2/3 of the shank, Secure with thread wraps, leaving the thread at the rear.

2. Twist the two colors of Cactus chenille (large) together. Bennie's favorite combinations are Purple/Orange, Purple/Pink, and Blue/Chartreuse. Attach at the rear and wrap forward to mid body, tying off on top of the lead. Stroke the chenille fibers back with each wrap.

3. Take an entire Golden Pheasant Tippet and tie in on the side of the shank with a few tight wraps. The foot should reach just past the hook point. Tie down the stem along the shank (lifting the chenille out of the way), trim and cement.

4. Wrap the Cactus Chenille forward to cover the lead and tie off. Trim excess.

5. Cut a piece of KaleidowrapTM 3/4" wide and twice as long as the hook shank. Fold it by 1/3 (silver side in) and trim the head at an angle and the back as shown to show lots of silver at the tail. Tie down on top of the shank just in front of the body. Use the thread rib to tie down behind the body. Half hitch the thread at the rear. * Note: KaleidowrapTM Prismatic Foil wrapping paper comes 24 sheets in a pack for about $5, and is a product of Peacock Papers; 273 Sumner Street; Boston, Mass 02210.

6. Tie in one color of Krystal Flash on the top far side and half hitch. Tie in the second color of Krystal Flash on the top near side and secure both with tight wraps. Using the rib thread, tie down both colors of Krystal Flash at the rear keeping the color separated. Half hitch to secure. Color combinations are either Dk Blue/ Silver or Dk Blue/ Gold.

7. Cut a strip of Edgebrite and trim the front to a short taper. Tie down on top of the shank and build a large head with the tying thread. Whip finish and cut the thread.

8. Tie down the Edgebrite at the rear with the ribbing thread (5 wraps) move forward and create a segment with three (3) wraps of thread. Do this twice more placing the last segment just behind the foot. Secure with three half hitches and trim thread.

9. Cement all the thread segments and the head. Liquid penetrating cement is best.

10. Trim the three layers of the carapace so that the silver paper is the shortest, the Edgebrite is slightly longer, and the Krystal Flash is longest.

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