Designed and tied by Steve Yewchuck.
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This bonefish shrimp pattern comes from Steve Yewchuck of Envision Fly Works, who designed it for a friend heading out on a flats trip. The request was simple: “a bigger shrimp pattern, something brownish, with a realistic profile.” What Steve delivered was a smart blend of classic shrimp form with modern synthetic materials—a durable, balanced, and convincing flats fly that has quickly earned its place in the saltwater box.
Yewchuck’s Shrimp takes cues from traditional, lifelike bonefish flies but adds a contemporary twist. The profile is designed to ride low and level on the sand or turtle grass, with plenty of movement in the tail and legs. Synthetic dubbings, rubber legs, and subtle flash provide the look and motion of a fleeing shrimp without going overboard.
The color scheme leans brown and tan—perfect for blending into the bottom while still showing enough silhouette to draw attention. The weight placement ensures a proper jigging motion without a hard crash, ideal for spooky fish in shallow water. It’s a clean, effective pattern that’s equally at home on the flats of the Bahamas or the Keys.
Fish Yewchuck’s Shrimp on a floating or intermediate line in 1–3 feet of water. Use a long leader and land the fly softly. Let it sink, then use short, sharp strips to imitate a startled shrimp. It’s especially effective for tailing bonefish over sand or grass flats. Vary the weight and hook size depending on location and target species.
Materials
- Hook: Partridge sea streamer 1/0 or Ahrex SA 220 Saltwater Streamer Hook
- Thread: UTC 70 brown or any brown 6/0 thread
- Heads: EP Fibers tan
- Antenna: 2 Flashabou pearl fibers
- Eyes: 60lb mono/UV black resin
- Legs: Buggy Nymph Legs tan
- Shell: Scud Back brown
- Rib: Ultra Wire medium brown
- Body dubbing: Senyo's laser dub tan
- Tail: Flymen fish-skull shrimp tail medium
