How to tie The Mylar Minnow (HaMm3r’s version)
Of all the flies I’ve purchased and/or tied, The Mylar Minnow is without question, my favorite to date. I’ve caught more fish, both saltwater and fresh, on this pattern than all others combined. Bass love it, seatrout absolutely destroy it and it’s a cinch to tie.
For lack of a better definition this is a wet, suspending, sub-surface fly due to the foam core, which gives it an extremely slow sink rate. However, once on the bottom, it can be worked almost jig-like. Give it a try; I think you’ll like it…
Materials;
- Hook – Mustad C70SD – Size 4
- Thread – White and Red
- ¼” Flexi-cord – Pearl/Silver
- 5/32” Yellow Stick-on Eyes
- Marabou Feathers - White and Gray
- Dave’s Flexament
- Packing Foam – Pink
Instructions;
Cut out a roughly cylindrical piece of packing foam about ½” in diameter. Trim the length so that the foam block reaches from the start of the hook bend to about 1/8” behind the hook eye. Thread the foam onto the hook and place in vice as shown.
Make a few wraps of white thread, just below the foam block.
Blend a clump of gray marabou with a clump of white marabou, trim to length and tie in behind the foam. Secure with a whip knot as shown.
Trim excess marabou fibers as needed, keeping in mind that neatness is not critical at this stage. Begin wrapping forward loosely, compressing the foam to roughly half its original diameter.
Use a whip knot to secure the thread just in front of the foam, then bring the thread straight back along the belly and make a few more wraps behind the foam once again.
Measure and cut a piece of flexi-cord so that it reaches from just behind the hook eye, to even with the bottom of the hook bend.
Use pliers to remove the flexi-cord core.
Fit the resulting mylar sleeve over the eye of the hook and the foam core, until the hook eye is exposed. Do not twist the mylar while positioning, as this will cause it to unravel.
Make two or three loose wraps around the mylar sleeve, then tighten to cinch down the rear of the body. Whip finish and cut.
Using red thread now, begin wrapping from the hook eye back.
Make two loose wraps over the mylar, then pull gently to tighten. Continue wrapping to build up the nose and trim any excess mylar where necessary.
If a weedguard is needed, now would be the time. Whip finish and cut.
Attach stick-on eyes and coat the entire mylar body, including the eyes and thread with Dave’s flexament.
Allow to dry, trim your weedguard and go fish!
Addendum: The camera flash makes the mylar appear far more transparent than it really is. To the naked eye and in the water, this fly is nearly opaque silver, with just a hint of red innards. Here's what you can expect it to look like in the mouth of your favorite game fish.
Submitted by: HaMm3r
Date posted: 10/26/08
