Jason Minnich

Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School

Physical Education Teacher/ Hyde Outfitters, Last Chance, Idaho

Mechanicsburg Fly Fishing Club and Family Tyes

Sponsored by the Mechanicsburg Wildcat Foundation

Mechanicsburg, PA

One of my favorite flies to use in the spring is a streamer pattern.  Once the weather starts warming up, I enjoy swinging streamers through water that looks “fishy” in hopes of that exciting strike that all streamer anglers know very well.  I must say that my favorite streamer pattern is one that I have not yet named and is a spin-off of a few flies, one being the Hornberg.  For lack of creativity and time, lets call it the “Minnich’s Mallard Minnow”.  It has been one of my go-to flies when all else fails and has caught fish from coast to coast.  It is also very quick and easy to tie. 

Hook: TMC 300 (I prefer size 10 and 12 for trout)            

Minnich Mallard Minnow

Thread: 6/0 thread to match color of fly

Body: gold or silver tinsel

Underwing: sparse crystal flash (color to match fly)

Overwing: Barred mallard flank feather

Tying Steps:

1. Attach thread to hook and work it back until it hangs even with barb.
2. Tie in tinsel and work thread forward to about 1/8 in. behind hook eye.
3. Wrap tinsel forward to thread and tie off.
4. Tie in a few strands of crystal flash on top of the hook.  Make sure they extend about a hook gap beyond the bend of the hook.
5. Select a mallard flank feather that is symmetrical on either side of the quill.
6. Tie in mallard feather concaved side down with the quill directly on top of the hook shank.  The tips of the feather should match the length of the crystal flash.  If the feather is tied in correctly, it should cover the hook shank on the top and on either side only exposing the tinsel from the underside.
7. Build a thread head and whip finish.

One additional step I add is a red throat on the underside of the hook.  Just a little bit of red floss works well and adds the look of gills or that the baitfish is injured.  I do not know what a fish thinks this represents but they like this fly for one reason or another.  I prefer colors in olive and light brown and I will vary the color of the tinsel from gold to silver.

Whether you are headed up to Erie for steelhead or to your favorite brookie stream, make sure, you have a few of these in your box.