Minnow Imatation

[James Ryncarz Jr.]

In a search for an amazing minnow imatation, using not so rare materials.

[Ken Y]

One of the easiest and realistic imitations I have come up with uses a marabou tail, E-Z body with some lead wire wrapped beneath it, and some stick on eyes. Hope this helps.

[James Smith]

I've found that the Polar Fiber minnow works the best for me. Easy to tieon readily available materials, very durable and super productive. The colors that work best for me are olive over chartruese over white or all black. There are a couple of variations of this pattern, so poke around in Google a bit and I'm sure you'll find one you like.

Jim Smith

[DShock]

Double Pine Squirrel (Image): http://web.mac.com/nealpod/Fly/Tying...s/DSC_7658.jpg

Bonker Zonker (Image): http://www.talkflyfishing.com/upload...bdb53108a4.jpg

Zonker (Image): http://web.mac.com/nealpod/Fly/Tying...s/DSC_7663.jpg

Bead Belly Zonker (Image): http://www.ifly4trout.com/flypattern...lly_zonker.htm

Doug

[dudley]

In a search for an amazing minnow imatation, using not so rare materials.

Just what the doctor ordered
Amazingly realistic, and uses material that you (most likely) already have.
Tying the Soft Hackle Streamer

[JeffHamm]

Hi,

At the risk of being accused of simply pushing my own pattern, I would suggest the Hammlim Minnow (found here as a Fly of the Week). Also, try a silver, gold, or copper Dorothy, which is a New Zealand pattern.

Tail: red fibres (blue on the copper version)
rib :wire, to match body
body: flat tinsel (silver, gold, or copper)
wing: two grizzle hackles, bound to the hook with the ribbing, like you would a rabbit strip. Check out the matuka flies.
Hackle: grizzle hackle, tied collar style.

This is a great minnow pattern that I've taken fish with.

- Jeff

[Dr. Fish]

This very, very simple pattern has been a fantastic one for me for a few years now. It seems everything eats it including BIG Trout.

http://flyanglersonline.com/about/mustad/zonked.php

Caught some real good Trout on this fly over the weekend in the waters around Mt. Home, AR in fact.

You can simplify it even more by just leaving the cone loose at the eye and not securing it.

[crcaddis]

In my old bait fishing days...trout always liked dead minnows better than live ones...A zonker or meat whistle under and indicator seems to be a good substitute. Cheers.

[Buddy Sanders]

James,

There are lots of good minnow imitations out here. You've been pointed to a lot of them.

But, you wanted an 'amazing' one....

What kind of minnow do you want to imitate?

Does 'amazing' mean that it's very lifelike in appearnce, easy to tie, or effective on the fish? All three?

You wanted to get away from 'rare' materials...you can tie thousands of different minnow patters with all synthetic materials.

I've got twenty or so different ones that I use for bass, trout, and pike that range from size 12 up to 5/0 and from 'lifelike' to gawdy riots of color that don't look like any real creature...they all catch fish.

Let us know, and you'll get some great responses....

Buddy

[Jeremy]

In a search for an amazing minnow imitation, using not so rare materials.

....Clouser.....