My favorite color combo would be minnow gray tail, rainbow sparcle chinnelle, dun colored hackle though sometimes I will use different color hackles. I often use other colors but that combo is a killer as a minnow imitation. My favorite way to add weight is with a cone head. Size is dependent on size of fly being tied. I also will place a tiny spinner blade on the front with a small bead behind for when the fish just don't want to bite anything. Works great.