Beadhead Chico's River Shrimp

About the Beadhead Chico’s River Shrimp
The Beadhead Chico’s River Shrimp is a variation of the original River Shrimp designed by Chico Fernandez. It is an excellent pattern for targeting redfish and other species on shallow grass flats and oyster bars. The fly is a snapping shrimp imitation but is impressionistic enough to catch fish chasing baitfish and other forage.

The fly lands lightly yet, with the deer hair body, it pushes a lot of water. It rides hook point up and the deer hair collar acts as a weedguard.

Chico's River Shrimp Recipe
Hook: Mustad C68SAP Tarpon Hook, #2
Flash: Flashabou, Gold
Bead: 3/16” Brass
Body: Rayon Chenille, Fine, Ginger
Wing: Premium Craft Fur, Tan
Deer Body Hair, Golden Brown
Head: Deer Body Hair, Golden Brown
Barring: Pantone marker or other permanent marker

Tying Notes
The original pattern is tied without weight or with some lead wire wrapped around the hook shank. I prefer to use a bead, which is quicker than adding lead wire and changes the action.

You can change the profile of the fly by tying the deer hair in differently or trimming the body differently. Try spinning the first clump of deer hair all the way around the hook shank and trimming the head to different shapes. You can also experiment with different body materials. Estaz and Wooly Bugger chenille are good options.

The fly as shown in the video is my favorite color combination. I also fish it in tan, black and purple, and white and chartreuse.

The most difficult step in tying this fly is spinning the deer hair. Experiment with different amounts of material and fill in bare spots as needed with an extra clump of deer hair.

On the Water
The Beadhead Chico’s River Shrimp fishes well in many different situations. I most often use it when sight fishing redfish. It is a good choice for tailing fish on grass flats because it can be cast close without spooking the fish, it sinks, but not too quickly, it pushes enough water to let the fish know it’s there, and the collar acts as a natural weedguard.

Stripped moderately quickly, the fly will ride in the middle of the water column and off the bottom. This is a good tactic around oyster bars as well as when fish are actively feeding on baitfish.