Crazy Charlie's Shrimp Fly

About the Crazy Charlie's Shrimp Saltwater Fly

The Crazy Charlie’s Shrimp is a punchy, flats-ready shrimp imitation built to get noticed and eaten. This pattern keeps the proven Crazy Charlie profile, but adds extra “shrimp cues”, prominent eyes, a lively tail and a segmented body, to look like a small crustacean scooting across the bottom.

This version is tied in a high-vis chartreuse/lime with a pearl body, bead-chain eyes and an olive, mobile tail/wing, making it ideal when you want a shrimp pattern that fish can find quickly in glare, chop, or slightly coloured water.

Fishing Tips:

How it works

• Point-up presentation: The bead-chain eyes help the fly ride hook-point up, reducing snagging and improving hook-ups on bottom-feeding takes.
• Shrimp silhouette with “life”: The soft tail/wing fibres pulse on the pause, while the body stays slim and natural.
• Segmentation trigger: The rib/segment effect adds realism and contrast, suggesting a real shrimp’s body shape.
• High-visibility colourway: Chartreuse/lime stands out without needing bulk; great for drawing attention when fish are moving fast or visibility is compromised.

How to fish it

• Let it land, then settle: A soft presentation followed by a brief pause is often key; shrimp don’t sprint immediately.
• Use the “scoot”: Two or three short, crisp strips, then a clear pause. That stop-start movement is a major trigger.
• Keep it low: Aim to fish it near the bottom; if you’re not occasionally ticking, you’re probably too high.
• Dial in the pace: If fish follow but won’t eat, shorten the strips and lengthen the pause. If they’re aggressive, make it dart faster.
• Strip-strike: Keep the rod tip down and set with the line hand first, then lift once you feel weight.

Creator of this saltwater fly: Charlie Smith

Tier of this saltwater fly: Bob Nauheim

Country of origin for this saltwater fly: Andros Island