Shellbacks on shrimp patterns, are they worth bothering about?

[brian]

Started to tye up a few bugs this morning with the usual latex backs, wonder if having a shellback on them is all that important, do you think a simple dudded body with a rib would work as well?

cheers

brian.

[Harpo]

Hi Brian,

I've often thought that when fannying about cutting up a pair of clear latex gloves for the shell back.

Probably just another technique that looks better to the angler than to the fish....I still do it though

[River Chatter]

I like the sound of that WHB, you could post a pic in the 'what I tied' thread could you?

[Malcolm]

I do like shellbacks for shrimps. The material I use is iridescent and is called I believe "shellback". Shrimps aren't the first pattern out of the box for me. I used to use them a lot while on the chalkstreams.

[haresear]

I like shellbacks on ryac and shrimp patterns. I feel it tidies up all the loose dubbing and slims the fly down, meaning is has less water resistance and so less lead is needed to get down than on a simple dubbed fly.
I also like the effect of a two tone abdomen. Most larvae are darker on the back than on the belly, so you get a flickering effect on a downstream drift.

Alex

[River Chatter]

Hello River Chatter! ALL fly-tying + fishing kit packed away - to make sure the DIY gets finished - really sorry. Also, still working on technique, and, conveniently, no digicam here... However, I promise to post pix before 15th March.

What's that WHB, too drunk and full o'Christmas grub to handle a fly without stabbing yourself?  I see. No worries, I'll sit patiently 'til ye sober up and the rennies kick in.  And if that takes 'til March then so be it!  :lol:

[River Chatter]

My sympathies WHB. I thought I had it bad wi' backed up DIY jobs, but jeez! Dinnae forget to pace yourself or you'll be spent by opening day. 

[Ptinid]

I too prefer a shellback on shrimp patterns. They help to show the segmented effect of the ribbing which can get lost when using a long haired dubbing.

As Alex said, it also slims down the shrimp, and that can matter.

[River Chatter]

Your DIY puts my efforts shame WHB. Hat's off to you!