The Improved MM Minnow

[Donald Schmotzer]

This fly continues to amaze me, it isn't so much different than a lot of other sub-surface flies, yet it will catch a wide variety of fish. When top-water isn't working....this  fly gets the call. When the wind seems to mess-up surface fishing...this one can save the day. I have changed the way I tie it over the last year or so and decided to pass along my changes....so here goes.
  8/0 thread (you can use 6/0)   size 8 or 10 hook   Two different colors of marabou 'your choice' (green/black, green/red, green/orange, black/red, and pink/black) work well   Flash...(either siver or gold)   Bead-chain eyes  (small dumbell eyes would work too)   Ca glue (or head-cement)
    I normally use a wet or streamer hook  size 10.....this example is a Daiichi 1280 size 8 (dry fly hook)     I used one size larger bead-chain than normal because this one is intended for smallies in the river current.
  01. Thread base back to the bend

  02. Tie in a contrasting tail of marabou / cut off excess

  03. Tie in the bead-chain eyes (figure eight)...drop of CA on hook between eyes helps to stop eye twisting

  04. Fold a 6" piece of flash in half and tie the center on the side of the hook behind the eyes

  05. Fold the front part of the flash over to the other side of the hook and tie in

  06. Tie in the marabou body/wing on top of the hook behind the eyes  (do not trim off excess)

  07. Twist excess marabou into a rope and pull between eyes and tie off just in front of eyes (do not trim)

  08. Pull marabou rope back over eyes and tie off behind eyes (neck)

  09. Cut away excess marabou
  10. Build a small nose then whip-finish just behind the eyes (neck)

  11. Trim flash just a little longer than the fly

  12.  CA glue (or head-cement) thread wraps underside of neck

  13.  I made the tail on this one just a bit shorter than I normally do (for river current)

  Those of you that fish droppers....This would make an execellent one (size 10 or 12 w/smaller bead-chain eyes)
  My favorite color and size 10 is pictured below. (These flys hold up very well....don't often come apart !!)

[Craig riendeau]

Donald,

I'm glad you like my M&M fly! I'll bet you saw it in a posting by my friend Rich McElligott, it's his favorite fly to fish and he's on every warm water fly site around. I swear he uses it more than I do. Its gotten around in the last twenty-five years but it still works as good as ever. I've changed it a few years back and now tie it on a 90 degree size #8 jig hook. The bead chain eye is tied to the outer portion of the jig eye shank (in line with the main hook shank) and acts as a counter balance holding the fly perfectly horizontal when set under an indicator. As good as it is as a cast and strip pattern, it is even more effective when fished like live bait under an indicator. Keeps it in the strike zone a lot longer (and over the weeds and logs). If you like the M & M you'll as love my Wee Willy Wiggler. It fishes the same way but the plastic body vibrates as it sinks (similar to a Senko Worm) It's my new favorite fly. You can find a video of me tying it on youtube (craig riendeau tying the wee willy wiggler). I'm happy to see some of you fish at Santee-Cooper Reservoir, one of my favorite places. I was just there a couple of months ago and got some 16 -17 inch crappie, a dozen two to four lb bass and some shellcracker all on Wee Willy Wigglers. Give them a try. It's nice to find a bunch of warm water fly fishermen!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Got a bunch of WW fly folks around here, Craig. Great Minnow pattern. Thanks!

David in SC

[dick tabbert]

NEATO

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Very nice, Donald. A really first class tie-up. I like that it uses pretty much all marabou; helps minimize the logistics.

I think even I may be able to manage this. Its going to the files.

PS You mentioned smallies - you catching those in the river below Lake Murray?

[dick tabbert]

I like that and great pictures. Can you give me an idea of what camera your using. Nice fly for sure