Sometimes, fly fishing inspiration strikes in the most unexpected places. For me and my buddy Jon Fisher, it was a rainy day in Rockport and a pack of neon straws that sparked the idea for the “Whata-shrimp” fly. Stuck indoors waiting for the downpour to ease, our fly-tying session took a creative turn when those colorful, flexible straws on the fridge caught my eye. They reminded me of a unique crustacean pattern I had encountered years ago – one that cleverly used a drinking straw to form the carapace. That’s how the Whata-shrimp was born, named after the iconic Whataburger cup sitting nearby, complete with its own straw.
Upon returning home, my curiosity led me to delve deeper into the origins of this straw-based fly design. A quick online search and a flip through my fly-tying books revealed the “Soda Straw Shrimp,” a pattern that employed an intact section of clear straw slipped over the hook shank to create a smooth, streamlined carapace. Some variations even incorporated the flexible, corrugated part of the straw.
However, the Whata-shrimp takes a slightly different approach. It utilizes the corrugated section of a neon straw, split and then glued directly onto the top of the hook shank. I find this split straw technique superior because it allows for a more realistic presentation of the fly’s underbelly, showcasing the leggy profile. While it might be a subtle difference, the visual appeal is undeniable. The vibrant “Neon Straws” are readily available and come in a fantastic range of shrimp and crab-attracting colors like pink, blue, yellow, orange, and chartreuse. With a touch of permanent marker artistry, you can further enhance these straws to create incredibly lifelike carapaces.
Durability is key in fly tying, and the Whata-shrimp doesn’t disappoint. The secret lies in applying a coat of clear DAP Kwik Seal to the inside of the straw before securing it with thread. This simple step permanently bonds the straw to the fly body, making it incredibly resistant to cracking or tearing. If you’re not already using DAP Kwik Seal in your fly tying, I highly recommend it. This water-based adhesive is fume-free, bonds virtually anything, and dries crystal clear with remarkable toughness. You can find it at most hardware stores, making it an accessible and invaluable addition to your fly-tying toolkit.
The Whata-shrimp pattern showcased here is tied on a #2 hook with a caramel color scheme. The straw carapace can be easily adjusted – shortened and narrowed – to suit smaller hook sizes like #4 or #6. By experimenting with different colored straws and permanent markers, you can customize this pattern to match virtually any shade preference, making it an incredibly versatile addition to your fly box. Whether you are targeting bonefish on the flats or redfish in the marsh, the Whata-shrimp is a pattern worth trying.
Materials List
- Hook: Mustad 34007 #2 to #6
- Thread: Clear nylon mono
- Swimmerettes: Craft fur
- Whiskers: Supreme Hair
- Antennae: Krystal Flash
- Eyes: Burned 60 lb mono
- Belly: Pearl Ice Dub
- Carapace: Flex portion of drinking straw (“Neon Straws”)
- Weed guard: 40 lb mono
- Adhesive: DAP Kwik Seal Plus
- Head Cement: Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails
