Minnow (generic)

Remove a couple of STIM-U-DENTS from the package and position 1 on top of the hook shank as shown, approximately at the barb of the hook.

Switch hands and continue to hold the toothpick. Mark the toothpick for length and for the forward shape of the body as shown.

Transfer the measurement to the other toothpick and tie the toothpicks onto the hook shank. At this time, you can head cement the entire body if desired. Then tie in the marabou tail. Tying Note: you could add flat strips of lead (such as TWISTONS) along the body or a piece of lead wire along the underside of the body for a weighted version.

Tie in a strip of bills body braid (green for the back) and a strip of bills body braid (silver or pearl for the body).

Wrap the silver braid forward and tie off. Pull the back braid forward over the top of the body and tie off.

Add eyes and whatever marking you want with the acrylic paint and let dry. Coat the body of the fly with a UV resin or epoxy. overcoat with Sally Hansen's hard as nail polish if necessary.

Minnow (generic)

Hook - Mustad 9671, 9672 or equivalent

Thread - White or clear mono

Under body - Shaped stim-u-dent toothpicks

Tail - Marabou

Back - Bills body braid or equivalent

Over body - Bills body braid or equivalent

Eyes and body markings - Acrylic paint

Coating - UV resin, epoxy and Sally Hansen's hard as nails

The shown above recipe is merely a suggestion of what to use. As a creative tyer you have the option to switch items in the recipe to suit your needs or material supply.

Weighting Options

An older fly pattern known as the "JANSSEN MINNOW" can be tied in this manner. Paint up your minnow to look like them or be creative.

Hal Janssens Minnow

Thanks for looking.

DuBois Hackle Gauge

I was lurking on Ebay one evening and I spied an item called the "Du Bois Fly Fisherman's & Fly Tier's Gauge". I am familiar with other types of hackle gauges but I had never heard about this on so I ended up buying it for a reasonable price. This gauge is multi functional as opposed to other hackle gauges. It allows you to check on hook sizes, wet and dry tail length, wet and dry hackle length and wet and dry wing lengths. All in one gauge. Simple enough.

The gauge comes in a clear plastic protective sleeve and an instruction sheet on how to use the gauge.

Hackle Gauge

Instruction Sheet

Fly Fishing is a Joke

                        

Fly Fishing is a Joke from Henry Harrison on Vimeo.

Buying Samples

I recently saw this on a fly tying forum. The tyer saw a pattern in a fly bin, got home and recreated it by memory and then asked other forum members if they knew the name of the pattern.

If you want to recreate that fly pattern you saw in whatever kind of shop you saw it in, buy 1-3 flies to have as samples and/or to deconstruct a fly to see how the pattern was tied. Shops will usually have the condiment cups or zip lock baggies to put flies in. Jot down the pattern name, size and where you bought it from for future reference. When you get home, take one out and photograph it for additional reference.

Don't try to go by memory after you get home.

Great for holding samples.

VERNON S. “PETE” HIDY

http://images.wolfpk.com/flyfisherscluboregon/pdf/hidy.pdf