Bluegill - Big Bluegill
bluegill fly tying
The Improved MM Minnow
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 !!)
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 !!)
dick tabbert
NEATO
Oct 8, 2013
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?
Oct 8, 2013
dick tabbert
I like that and great pictures. Can you give me an idea of what camera your using. Nice fly for sure
Oct 8, 2013