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Mysis
The Mysis Relicta Shrimp, also known as Opossum
Shrimp, is a freshwater shrimp found in deep, cold lakes and is common to the
Great Lakes. It is a primary food source for salmon,
steelhead, trout, smelt, alewife, sculpins, and many other fish with
guesstimates running as high as 70 percent of their food intake.
Imitations are very popular for steelhead, especially in the Size and Growth Like all arthropods, Mysis shrimp feature a segmented, shell-like exoskeleton that is shed several times to allow growth. During their lifespan, the shrimp typically go through four instars, or molting periods, when they discard their casings. Molting generally takes place when the shrimp reaches a length of 4.5 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, and 16 mm (5/8"). Females, however, have been known to form a fifth instar, growing to a length of 22 mm (7/8"). As a result, a large Mysis pattern is not out of the question. Living specimens are transparent and can live for two years Anatomy Unlike other Great Lakes crustaceans, Mysis shrimp feature two large, stalked compound eyes. Its head is fused to the first thoracic segment, and several pairs of laterally moving appendages, called maxillae and maxillipeds, extend forward beyond the head. A tough, semi-transparent carapace runs along the shrimp's dorsal and lateral surfaces, shielding its thorax. Jointed swimming legs hang below. Its abdomen is divided into six segments, and two fluid cavities, called statocysts, make up the tail.
Materials:
Note: add orange permanent marker to shell back
Here's an alternate design that might be used for swinging whereas the other design is more suited to nymphing. |
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Great Lakes region. 
