Fly of the Month: Smartt Minnow

A friend of mine named Chip Evans ties a fly he calls Chip's Fathead Minnow (featured in Sept. 2005 issue of GCC). It's a beautiful cigar-shaped baitfish pattern, and it really catches fish. But, it is difficult to tie. The body is made entirely of craft fur that has been stacked, spun, packed, and trimmed- just like a deer hair bug. Chip is a master at this technique and makes it look easy, but my patience and skill at spinning craft fur leaves me frustrated and sneezing (those little fibers will get you!).

So, I started looking for another way to create a fat-bodied cigar-shaped baitfish pattern that would hold its shape and push a lot of water. Eventually I tried mixing craft fur and pearl flash material (Ice Dubbing) in a dubbing loop which was then palmered over the hook shank. It worked. The net result was a baitfish pattern that is reasonably easy to tie, with a shiny rippling action and a firm cigar-shaped body. I call the pattern the "Smartt Minnow," but the fly is certainly rooted in the profile and action of Chip's Fathead Minnow.

The Smartt Minnow is nearly neutrally buoyant and can be fished with a floating or sinking line. The retrieve should be slow with erratic staccato strips that suggest a wounded or disoriented baitfish. An ideal scenario for this fly is over winter mud or in off-color channels when fish are targeting slow-moving prey. Effective hook sizes for the Smartt Minnow range from #8 through 1/0 (I prefer #2). My favorite colors are with grey/white, solid chartreuse, or solid tan. The pattern can be tied with or without a mono weed guard.

Materials
Hook: Mustad 34007 #8 through 1/0 (#2 preferred)
Thread: Clear nylon mono
Tail: Craft fur
Tail Flash: Pearlescent Polar Flash
Body: Craft fur (dubbed)
Body Flash: Pearlescent Ice Dubbing
Eyes: Plastic 3-D
Glue: Loctite Gel Superglue
Color Accent: Permanent markers (optional)