Veverka's Mantis Shrimp
Veverka’s Mantis Shrimp is a highly effective bonefish pattern created by Bob Veverka for targeting wary fish that had become accustomed to standard flats flies. It is especially popular in the Bahamas but can also produce permit, redfish, and other saltwater species that feed on shrimp and small crustaceans. The fly is typically cast ahead of a moving fish, allowed to sink toward the bottom, and retrieved with short strips and pauses. Its individually tied rubber legs provide independent movement, which Veverka considered one of the most important features of the pattern. Veverka’s Mantis Shrimp is commonly tied in sizes 2 through 8, with the weight adjusted to match the depth, current, and wariness of the fish.
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Recipe
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Hook · Tiemco 811S (or similar), size 2
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Thread · Tan UTC 140 Denier · Tan
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Weight · Silver Bead Chain, Large
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Eyes · EP Crab Shrimp Eyes, Medium
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Feelers · Tan Rabbit Strip · Tan
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Antenna · Black Krystal Flash · Black
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Tail · Extra Select Craft Fur · Tan
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Legs · Amber/Gold Flake Sili Legs
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Body · Underfur from the Craft Fur used for the tail, tapered toward the eye of the hook · Tan
Tying Instructions
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1
Secure the hook in the vise and wrap the thread from behind the eye back to the bend.
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2
Cut a small clump of tan rabbit fur from the hide and tie it in at the bend of the hook to serve as feelers.
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3
Advance the thread to the front of the shank and tie on the silver bead chain eyes using figure-eight and parachute wraps, then return the thread to the rear.
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4
Prepare a clump of tan craft fur by pulling out the underfur and saving it to use as dubbing later.
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5
Tie in the remaining craft fur fibers at the hook bend to form a tail roughly the length of the hook shank, then invert the hook in the vise.
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6
Crimp the stalks of two EP Crab/Shrimp eyes with pliers and tie them onto the sides of the shank pointing backward.
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7
Fold a strand of sili legs around the thread to form a V, then tie them onto the hook shank so they splay outwards.
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8
Double a strand of black Krystal Flash over the thread to form a V and tie it on top of the shank to serve as antennae, then trim the legs and flash to length.
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9
Apply dubbing wax to the thread and dub the saved craft fur underfur onto the thread.
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10
Wrap the dubbed thread forward to build the first segment of the body.
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11
Tie in a second set of sili legs by folding them around the thread and securing them splayed on both sides of the shank.
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12
Dub more craft fur underfur onto the thread, wrap behind and around the legs to keep them separated, and continue wrapping forward.
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13
Tie in a third set of sili legs near the bead chain eyes and trim them slightly.
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14
Finish dubbing the body with the remaining craft fur underfur, wrapping around the bead chain eyes to the front of the hook.
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15
Whip finish behind the hook eye and cut the thread.
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16
Trim all legs to your preferred length.
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17
Use a bodkin to pick out the dubbed body, making it shaggy and buggier, and pluck away any excess bulk with your fingers.