Syd Glasso Shrimp Fly by Sean Dahlquist

I’ve highlighted a Syd Glasso style wet fly as a perfect example of inventive pattern revitalization. One of Syd’s favorite fishing flies was the tried and true Polar Shrimp, which he tied in a number of variations.

The original pattern calls for a tail of red hackle fibers. A Syd Glasso tail could consist of varying lengths of Golden Pheasant tippets with a few orange or red hackle fibers mixed throughout. In place of a standard body of orange chenille, Syd might wrap a fine silk body, splitting his silk half way up and inserting hot orange seal fur for the second half, and then spiral over it a few turns of flat silver tinsel.

A collar of brightly colored Golden Pheasant flank would replace the typical orange saddle hackle, and in place of a white bucktail wing Syd would strip off long white rooster hackle fibers and tie them down in a bunch, creating a free-flowing wing that would have great action in the water.

The end result is a unique wet fly that holds true to the overall nature of a Polar Shrimp but has a life of its own. Syd’s innovations knew no bounds and he seemed to always be looking for new ways to utilize feathers and furs. 

Step 1: Attach a length of flat silver tinsel.

Step 2: Select a nice Golden Pheasant tippet feather.

Step 3: Sweep several fibers down to mix the fiber lengths.

Step 4: Ideal patterning and tail shape.

Step 5: Tie in the tippets and a few red hackle fibers for a tail.

Step 6: Wrap a length of hot orange floss down and back.

Step 7: Split the remaining floss and insert a sparse amount of hot orange dubbing.

Step 8: Twist the floss to lock in the dubbing and wrap up towards the eye leaving plenty of room for the collar and wing.

Step 9: Take 3 turns of tinsel.

Step 10: Wrap a few turns of Golden Pheasant flank for a collar.

Step 11: Select a large white rooster neck hackle.

Step 12: Peel off a small bunch of fibers for a wing.

Step 13: Place a dab of head cement to the butt ends.

Step 14: Tie in the wing and whip finish.