Tiemco Shimazaki Dry-Shake

Here’s a quick, practical guide to Shimazaki Dry-Shake (aka “Shimi” or “Shimi shake”), how it works, which one to buy, and how to use it right.

What Is It?

A powder desiccant + floatant in a small jar. It dries a soaked fly and leaves a thin waterproof coating, so the fly pops back up and rides high again. It’s famously CDC-safe.

Variants

1. Dry-Shake (Original, white cap): all-round powder for most dries, including CDC.
2. Dry-Shake “DUN” (grey cap): same as Original but with a darker tint—won’t brighten dark bodies/wings.
3. Dry-Shake Super/Extreme (red or black cap, depending on market): extra-strong drying power and longer-lasting float; great for big hackled flies, fast water, or repeated fish.
4. Liquid Dry-Shake: thin liquid that wicks into fibers; good as a pre-treat base coat (then use powder mid-day).
5. Brush-On / Spray: handy for spot-treating wings or micro patterns.

When To Use It

• After a fish or dunk when your dry is waterlogged.
• To revive CDC and delicate dries without matting them.
• Between runs in fast water when you want the fly riding high again, fast.

How to use

It takes just 10 to 20 seconds!

1. Blot the fly with tissue/amadou (optional but best).
2. While the fly is still on the tippet, open the pot and drop the fly inside (leader through the slot if present).
3. Close and shake briskly 5–10 times.
4. Tap off excess, false cast a couple of times. Done.

For CDC-specific flies

1. Skip gels. Use Dry-Shake only (or Liquid + Dry-Shake). If you must add a paste floatant later, use a whisper on the body only, not the CDC tips.

Pro Tips

1. Do a quick pre-treat at the start: Liquid Dry-Shake (or a tiny bit of CDC-safe paste), then use powder to restore after each fish.
2. If the fly is slimed (fish/mud), rinse, blot, then Dry-Shake. Powder won’t clean slime by itself.
3. Keep the jar dry—don’t dip a dripping-wet fly; just blot first so you don’t clump the powder.
4. For big hackled patterns (Wulffs, stimulators), the Extreme/Super version lasts longer in rough water.

Dry-Shake vs. other floatants

• Powder (Dry-Shake): best reviver after dunking; super for CDC.
• Paste/gel (e.g., TMC Dry Magic): best first-coat; long-lasting, but can mat CDC if overused.
• Liquid floatants: great pre-treat for tiny or sparse flies; pair with powder mid-session.

Bottom line: Shimazaki Dry-Shake is the go-to revival floatant—fast, CDC-friendly, and super effective at bringing drowned flies back to life. Keep a pot in your vest and shake after every fish.