The DDAMS (Deceptively Difficult Articulated Mantis Shrimp)

[Piscineidiot 0]

Hey guys,

 

Just invented this little fellow a while back.

 

It's a forward swimming, articulated mantis shrimp pattern.

 

The hookless articulation idea came about after I saw some trout flies with a similar sort of idea. I'd been wrestling with how I could build a mantis shrimp with the correct body proportions (little head, long body) for ages, and this was a real light bulb moment for me.

 

Enjoy!

 

Owen

 

 

In case you were wondering how the tail stays on... (The lump on the shank is formed using CCG and a few wraps of thread).

 

[Thyme Flies 0]

Cool looking fly. Would you mind posting a recipe?

[sandflyx 0]

I like the lump thing been thinking on a few flies and how to keep back hook on, thanks for the idea. nice shrimp !!!!

[Guest rich mc]

thanks for sharing. im sure it made many of us think about putting that technique to some other flies. A+ rich mc

[Chefben4 0]

Unique method. I like it!

[ironmachin 0]

This is a great idea and result. One that I will certainly be trying soon; thanks for sharing.

[Saltybum 0]

Very cool looking critter.

Is the tail section stiff or is soft and flexible?

I have read where Mantis shrimp are bad %#@ critters but fish love to eat'm.

Looks like a lot of time was put into the coloring job and I can also see how a stinger hook could work well in the tail section.

 

SBS? Please!

 

Great thinking outside the box!

[FlyFishin'Jam 0]

Quite like this pattern! Love the markings on the shell and head.

[riffleriversteelheadslayer 0]

I like this idea my only question is. Have you had any problems with the tail spinning around and actually causing the fly to not be able to hook a fish

[Piker20 0]

Yep good thought through pattern. Like Riff says, can the tail slide around over the front? But it has lots of milage in it, thats for sure.

[Piscineidiot 0]

Hey guys, sorry for the belated reply.

 

I'll try and get around to posting an SBS for you.

 

RE: the tail stiffness - it is stiff, it's tied on a bent piece of stainless steel wire to prevent fouling. Because it's quite thick, it doesn't quite manage a full rotation to the front, and with a quick little strip, the tail lays back like it should without a worry.

 

You could certainly incorporate a stinger hook, I just haven't so there's less to foul things and because the fish we have up here are pretty aggressive when it comes to eating things like these - I'd suspect they'd shoot for the head on something like a mantis to stop themselves getting a mouthful of claw...

 

Glad you guys like it!

 

Owen

[bkatz1 0]

thats really cool, cant wait for that SBS-

[TheBigHenderson 0]

Nice tie! I haven't seen anything like it...what are you thinking of using it for?