Shipman's Buzzer

The Shipman's Buzzer was developed by Dave Shipman in the 1970s to imitate emerging midge pupae (chironomids) in stillwater environments. Shipman was a member of the English Flyfishing Society and crafted this pattern to work particularly well on flat-calm lakes and reservoirs. The fly gained popularity for its unique use of a stripped quill body and a bushy thorax, which suspends the fly in the surface film. Rather than sinking like traditional buzzers, Shipman's version hangs delicately in the meniscus, mimicking the trapped emergers trout often sip just below or in the surface.

Curated by the IdentaFly fly fishing team.

Fish two identical Shipman’s Buzzers on a short leader 18 inches apart in dead calm water. Light disturbances between them can provoke exploratory takes.