small minnow patterns

[Hardyreels]

Have you looked at Keith Flusher's Thunder Creek Minnow patterns? If I were looking for light with plenty action I would be tying a thin yarn body (your choice of color) and adding what was always called golden edged badger saddle hackles in the length I needed to make a castable fly. I could see these working up to 3" on a 3 weight set up. The fly will not look too fancy but with 4 or more saddles the action will drive a good bass to drink.

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by Hardyreels

Have you looked at Keith Flusher's Thunder Creek Minnow patterns? If I were looking for light with plenty action I would be tying a thin yarn body (your choice of color) and adding what was always called golden edged badger saddle hackles in the length I needed to make a castable fly. I could see these working up to 3" on a 3 weight set up. The fly will not look too fancy but with 4 or more saddles the action will drive a good bass to drink.

I have a version of the Thunder Creek Minnow using Congo Hair (EP Fiber copy). The cool thing about congo hair is that very little of it makes a good sized profile in the water, the bad thing is that it doesn't have much bulk for the head so I tie in a few wraps of chenille behind the hook eye for the congo hair to go over to create the head.

I just didn't mention in my first post because it's kinda hard to describe.

I'll tie up a few small buck tail versions to try though.

[swirlchaser]

Originally Posted by mudbug

Thank you guys for your input but I feel I need to clarify something.

I understand that panfish are not as likely to eat the minnow flies I'm looking for, I just want something that might attract bass that I can toss with my 3 wt if I want.

So I'm looking for light weight minnow imitations with with low wind resistance.

I think I have the fly you need. You can tie a scaled down version of Steve Farrar's peanut bunker. The fly is tied in a series of bendbacks alternating above and below the hook. The same way the tail is tied on the Simiseal leach video you posted. Use simiseal fibers for the whole fly. When it's done it will look like this, only much smaller
[IMG][/IMG]

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by swirlchaser

I think I have the fly you need. You can tie a scaled down version of Steve Farrar's peanut bunker. The fly is tied in a series of bendbacks alternating above and below the hook. The same way the tail is tied on the Simiseal leach video you posted. Use simiseal fibers for the whole fly. When it's done it will look like this, only much smaller
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/...117_230014.jpg

I tried making a small one with congo hair but it was kinda bulky, I love the idea of using simiseal, thank you. I'll make up a few.

what size hook is that?

[swirlchaser]

That's a 2/0 circle hook.

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by swirlchaser

That's a 2/0 circle hook.

Thanks.

I was just gonna try one with a #2 Gamakatsu SC15. I'll see how it works.

[BigCliff]

As Riptide suggested, a bendback is pretty ideal for giving a big profile without much weight.

These are tied on a size 1 Mustad 34011 hook, but I tie smaller ones on a sz 6 and throw them easily on my 3wt.



The head is ice dubbing spun into a one inch loop and picked out. Eyes go on pretty easily with gel-type superglue. (the liquid version wicks into the fibers too quickly)

Switch from doll eyes to 3D holo eyes to help them sink better, and you can also add lead wire onto the belly.

[swirlchaser]

Originally Posted by BigCliff

As Riptide suggested, a bendback is pretty ideal for giving a big profile without much weight.

These are tied on a size 1 Mustad 34011 hook, but I tie smaller ones on a sz 6 and throw them easily on my 3wt.



The head is ice dubbing spun into a one inch loop and picked out. Eyes go on pretty easily with gel-type superglue. (the liquid version wicks into the fibers too quickly)

Switch from doll eyes to 3D holo eyes to help them sink better, and you can also add lead wire onto the belly.

Cliff,

With no weight added do they swim hook up or down? With a small hook I'm guessing the bucktail keeps it hook up?

[mrfzx]

My favorite minnow imitator is the good old gold ribbed muddler minnow. I tie them in white, natural(tan), and black.

I also really like the an old pattern called the Supervisor.

[BigCliff]

Originally Posted by swirlchaser

Cliff,

With no weight added do they swim hook up or down? With a small hook I'm guessing the bucktail keeps it hook up?

You're correct!

One thing to be careful of is to not make them too sparse. Since the bucktail helps them ride hook point up both due to flotation and resistance, too little is a bad idea.

Another tip on bendbacks is to set the total length to be no more than 50% past the bend of the hook. This will reduce fouling.