This is the Transparent Minnow. Like many flies, tied in the appropriate sizes and with appropriate hooks it can be used for Trout or possibly even Pike and would even, I’m sure catch in the salty stuff too.

It’s not a fly (?) I’ve ever fished with, but it is a fun tie and it is also introducing a few new techniques to you.

Instructions assume right-handed tyers

HOOK – Dependent on target species
THREAD – Grey Roman Moser Power Silk
TAIL – White Marabou with a few strands of Pearl Chrystal Hair over and the Mylar frayed
BACK/BELLY – Mylar piping
BODY – Epoxy and Glitter
EYES - Either pre-made or make your own

STEP 1
Cut a length of Mylar piping just over double the length of the hook shank. Then pierce it in the middle with the hook point and pull up to the eye.

STEP 2
Mount the thread at the hook bend and tie in a bunch of white marabou and the Chrystal hair.

STEP 3
Pull the top half of the Mylar piping over to leave a fish shape and tie in at the tail.

STEP 4
Repeat with the bottom half of the Mylar.

STEP 5
Make a whip finish and detach the thread, then fray the ends of the Mylar.

STEP 6
Use a marker pen to colour the back of the fly (fish) I’ve use green here (it was the first pen I laid my hands on), you can use whatever colour represents the bait fish you wish to imitate.

STEP 7
Mix up some epoxy and add some glitter to it. Then with fly (fish) on its side fill the gap.

STEP 8
Place on a “roto drier” to prevent sagging. If you don’t have a roto drier you can turn it by hand, a laborious job!

STEP 9
Once it has dried, apply eyes to it.

STEP 10
Apply a second coat of epoxy, this time clear then return to the roto drier until the second application is dry.
As you can see, in the larger sizes you can use hackles for the tail.

The one on the bottom right is not completely dry, hence the milky appearance.

I did attempt to show the transparency better, but sadly with my limited photographic knowledge and lack of appropriate equipment….. I failed miserably. But I think you will get the idea.

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ukflydressing A UK based fly tying site packed full of flyting tips and photographic step by steps. Now with added fly fishing section.

Nice fly Dennis. I would imagine they're pretty weighty, especially once you get into salty sizes?

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A forum post should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover the subject matter, but short enough to remain interesting.

Not that Heavy, wouldn't want to cast one on a #4 weight though

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ukflydressing A UK based fly tying site packed full of flyting tips and photographic step by steps. Now with added fly fishing section.

Lovely fly, I'd like to try trapping some sort of air sac in the upper half to make them float a little. A tiny modification that could also be tried would be to pre-rib the silver hook shank with black floss silk in open spiral turns to represent the intestines etc. in the same way that Dick Walker did with the Polystickle.

richard

Good idea Richard. Perhaps some open cell foam or even bubble wrap would do the trick?

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ukflydressing A UK based fly tying site packed full of flyting tips and photographic step by steps. Now with added fly fishing section.

Absolutely superb.

Your talent never ceases to amaze me.

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Wild, Dangerous, Unfettered and Free

Hehe, were that that were true Kyp, Jack of all... maybe
That one's actually very easy to tie ( ) certainly easier than, say, a ... Apps Bloodworm, I kid you not!

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ukflydressing A UK based fly tying site packed full of flyting tips and photographic step by steps. Now with added fly fishing section.