When it comes to Steelhead in Alaska, there are a lot of effective fly patterns. The Polar Shrimp is a “classic” pattern that is a favorite among Alaska Steelheaders and other anadromous fish. Originally designed by Polly Rosborough for Oregon Coast Steelhead, this pattern is deceiving in the eyes of Steelhead as it imitates a shrimp or an egg cluster.
Originally Designed By: Polly Rosborough
Tie, Instructions, and Photos by Mike Brown of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, Alaska.
Material List:
- Hook: Gamakatsu T10-6H Sz 8-4
- Tail: Red Hackle Tips
- Body: Orange Medium Chenille
- Collar: Orange Saddle Hackle
- Wing: White Calf Tail
- Thread: Black Veevus 8/0
Step 1. Start your thread appx 1-1/2 to 2 hook eye widths back of the hook eye, I do this to give room for the head. Run your thread back to the point of the hook.
Step 2. Tear off appx ¼” of your red hackle tips. I use the at the bottom of the feather to give you more length. Tie in the hackle so the tips extend just past the bend of the hook. This should be about half the hook shank length.
Step 3. Strip off a little bit of your chenille, exposing the core. Tie in the core, this will allow for a smooth start to wrapping your body.
Step 4. Wrap your chenille forward to appx 1-1/2 hook eye width from where you started your thread.
Step 5. Tie in your orange hackle.
Step 6. Wrap your hackle forward, be sure to sweep your tips back with each wrap making for tight turns. You should wrap it appx. four turns.
Step 7. Tie in your wing facing forward. You want the tip of your wing to be just short of the tail hackle tips. Once you have a few tight wraps of thread, fold your wing back over the top. Be sure to hold your wing centered and then tie down. Build a nice tapered head and whip finish.
Finished Fly.
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