Balanced minnows

[troutpocket]

I fished a lake in October that held large rainbows and my most productive fly was very similar to the bottom fly in the picture. It was not level nor did it have eyes but fish hit it savagely and often. Tied with some UV material it must be visible for quite a distance underwater. I strip it erratically often letting it sink before jerking it back into action. It seems to me that fish key in on the white flies taking them as they appear to be the white belly of a baitfish. Feeding opportunistically in the fall they seem to fall for anything resembling an easy meal.

My best days fishing baitfish patterns have been in September and October. My go-to is a simple olive bunny strip tied in matuka style with a cream/white dubbing underbelly on a 2XL #6 heavy streamer hook. I use the same fish mask and eyes that I’m using for the jig version. I keep it unweighted so it will roll and dip slowly on the pause.

The top pattern in my first post has been good December through March when the hatches are slim to none and water is very clear.

I’m keen to try these new versions in the shallows on windy spring days.

 

[dbk]

Would you mind sharing which materials are in that body?

Sure.. Jr. Bruiser blend Cream Hartline Ice Dub Smolt blue Senyo laser dub pink

 

[troutpocket]

Finished version with the olive tail. There’s a 1/8” tungsten bead in the head for balance.

 

[Buzzy]

Finished version with the olive tail. There’s a 1/8” tungsten bead in the head for balance.
View attachment 268644

Rod - very (VERY) nice.

 

[Irafly]

@troutpocket - Great minds think alike! Your ties are much better than mine though!

I was fishing a Puget Sound beach with a buddy on Saturday. Living on the dryside, I have rarely fished for sea runs but my Seattle-area buddy is very experienced. I think outside the box so part way through the day, I asked “does anyone fish balanced minnows under an indicator for sea runs?”. He is used to my weird ideas so didn’t bat an eye and calmly answered my question.

@Bob Triggs had a little more visceral reaction when I called him with my (apparently blasphemous) question, LOL!

Yes, yes I have.

 

[Stonefish]

Yes, yes I have with half a rod....

Fixed it for you.
SF

 

[dbk]

 

[Mike Ediger]

I am excited about this idea and have wanted to try it for quite a while. I also think it would work in moving water. If a fish will chase down a live minnow, I would think they would be willing to expend less energy to go grab a floating one that may be injured or dead. One should never post a picture of their first attempt of any fly, proportions need a little work, and this isn’t truly a balanced menu, but I am interested in giving it a shot.

 

[Buzzy]

I am excited about this idea and have wanted to try it for quite a while. I also think it would work in moving water. If a fish will chase down a live minnow, I would think they would be willing to expand less energy to go grab a floating one that may be injured or dead. One should never post a picture of their first attempt of any fly, proportions need a little work, and this isn’t truly a balanced menu, but I am interested in giving it a shot.

Mike - killer minnow! I bet it would fish really well at the lake where we met!

 

[Mike Ediger]

@Buzzy May be a while but let’s find out!

 

[Brian in OR.]

Fly tier Kyle Brooks balanced minnow....
looks pretty damn good...

 

[Buzzy]

Fly tier Kyle Brooks balanced minnow....
looks pretty damn good...

View attachment 268855

I'm sitting at my vise trying to conjure up a balanced minnow that I'd actually fish, I like the looks of this one you posted. (I bet that rod is a canon!)

 

[Paul_]

I might as well start fishing with lures again.
View attachment IMG_6146.MOV

 

[Matt B]

I might as well start fishing with lures again.
View attachment 269187

It’s nodding...yes, yes, come bite me.

 

[b_illymac]

I came across a pretty neat company that makes these heads in fly cast easy sizes with strong sticky hooks. This is 1/32nd. It's not a true balance but it will present very close...