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Mormyshka (or Mormishka, or Marmooska, Russian: мормышка) is a sort of fishing lure or a jig. The word is derived from Russian word Mormysh (Russian: мормыш) – that means Freshwater Shrimp (Gammarus). Freshwater Shrimp lives in most waters of Ural Lakes and rivers. The shrimp will swim for 5 to 10 inches and then stop to rest and breath. When stopped, they sink toward the bottom, usually in a curled position. After a few seconds they will uncurl and swim another short distance. This swimming and sinking is very erratic and is a good way to jig a small lure or to retrieve a fly representing the shrimp.
Mormyshka was invented in the 19th century in Russia. The prototypes were big spoon lures used for ice fishing. Trying to imitate shrimps, anglers made lures smaller and changed the way of fixing them on the line. As a result, efficient lures appeared and were spread quickly among ice fishermen all around Russia and Scandinavia.
Mormyshka consists of a metallic head, often made of tungsten, and a hook soldered in it. There is a small vertical hole in the middle of the head where the line passes through.
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The way to knot Mormyshka to the line is unusual, but is not difficult. The line is put through the hole and tied to the hook. When suspended, Mormyshka keeps an almost horizontal position, and the point of the hook is above its shank.
Some mormyshkas have a Bead Head on the hook.
In contrast to Jig Heads, original Russian Mormyshka jigs have no up eye; Mormyshkas are not always globe-shaped. There are many forms that provide different presentations to fish; Usually, high quality Mormyshka is not painted, but coated or plated with Nickel, Brass, Copper, Gold, Silver, or combination of two metals, that provides better attraction to fish.
For the past few years Mormyshka has been used in summer fishing as well with long poles and a float or a nod. It is used either with live bait or alone. Also, anglers use palmers tied on Mormyshkas.
Mormyshka consists of a metallic head and a hook soldered in it. There is a little vertical hole in the middle of the head where the line is passing through.

The way to knot Mormyshka to the line is unusual, but is not difficult. You put the line through the hole and knot it to the hook.

When suspended, Mormyshka keeps almost horizontal position, and the point of the hook turns out to be above its shank.

Mormyshka catches the bottom much less, because the point of the hook is in upward position.
Because of the hole, Mormyshkas are not always globe-shaped. There are many forms that provide different presentations to fish; Usually, high quality Mormyshka is not painted, but coated or plated with Nickel, Brass, Copper, Gold, Silver, or combination of two metals, that provides better attraction to fish. Tungsten jigs with hole are more expensive than one with eye due to labor cost.