Streamers: Step-by-step fly tying instructions

The Shrimp Tail Gotcha created by Martin Bawden.

The Shrimp Tail Gotcha is a next-generation rendition of the traditional Gotcha fly.

This modern fly is tied the same way, except it’s tied with a Fish-Skull Shrimp & Cray Tail – a stainless-steel weight molded in the shape of crustacean tails – instead of with bead chain eyes.

My hope is this simple, new material will spark your imagination, get your creative juices flowing, and allow you to expand your fly design and fishing possibilities.

Enjoy and catch a few big ones for me!

Fly Tying Materials

Tail: Fish-Skull® Shrimp & Cray Tail™.
Hook: Saltwater size #2 or #4.
Thread: Pink.
Underbody: Flashabou, silver.
Body: Craft fur, tan or sand color.
Flash: Crystal flash.

Fly Tying Instructions

Step 1

Put hook in vise, attach tying thread, and cover the first third of your hook with thread.

Step 2

Select a Shrimp & Cray Tail.

Step 3

Position your Shrimp & Cray Tail on the hook shank, ensuring the rear of the tail doesn't extend past the eye of the hook because that may unbalance the fly.

Step 4

Tie in your Shrimp & Cray Tail and wrap the rest of the hook shank with thread.

Step 5

Take 15 to 20 strands of Flashabou and tie in a small tag.

Step 6

Wrap the Flashabou forward in tight wraps to form a shiny shrimp underbody.

Step 7

Tie off the Flashabou in front of the Shrimp & Cray Tail.

Step 8

Rotate your vise and tie in a clump of craft fur that will act as the shrimp’s body.

Step 9

Tie in 2 to 3 strands of Crystal Flash on both sides of the shrimp’s body and trim their lengths to extend slightly past the craft fur. Tie off your fly with neat thread wraps and add cement to secure the wraps.

Step 10

Go catch a big fish!