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/ bead / Black / Marker / micro / Minnow / Red / white /

The Micro Minnow

 
tied by navigator36
Fly Type: General Freshwater,
Target Species: Trout,
Recommended Region: Central Canada,
Imitation: General Baitfish,
Material List:
Hook- Long shank nymph/streamer hook size around size 18
Thread- 3/0 unithread in white or tan
Head- Silver or nickle bead of the right size
Tail- Thread cut off at start is left at the shank for the tail.
Color- Permanent markers in gold, silver red and black.
Tying Instructions: This fly is similar to my Tiny Terror but is even smaller
and so much easier to tie. There is no flash applied
and the markers give it a more natural look.
1. After the bead is on, start a thread wrap from the bend to the bead with a 2 inch trailing thread piece.
2. wrap back again to the end of hook and leave the trailing thread trimmed down as the tail.
3. Cement the start of the thread body.
4. As you wrap thread to form the body, wrap a loop of the thread and wrap back to the bend of the hook.
Trim this off to add to the volume of the tail.
( Comb this thread tail out if necessary)
5. Wrap until thread body is formed to the bead and
finish off with a smooth whip finish so as not to create a lumpy looking fly..
6. Color the fly with markers. A little red for the gills,
gold on the top, black along the side. Whatever
colors you choose.
7. Paint the eyes on the bead and add a pupil with marker.
8. How long you let the marker dry decides how much your colors will bleed onto the body when varnished.
I like to cement quite soon after the marker is applied. The body colors then bleed down onto the body, giving it a sort of modeled effect.
If cemented later, the colors will have a neater, sharper look.
9. Cement the top of the fly first, from the tail to the bead. Then turn it slightly and loosely swipe/dab the cement along one side of the fly, then the other.
This includes the eyes with one wipe.
Rotate the fly to make sure it is evenly coated.
10. I cement a second time later which give it a very durable finish.
That's it.
Presentation Tips: For bigger trout, I fish this more realistic pattern deeper
almost like a chironimid on an intermediate or fast sinking line. Because of it's small size and more realistic appearance, don't be afraid to let the trout take a good look at it. Slow long pulls and pauses are all that is needed.
Works for panfish as well.