Quest Outdoors

raisinrat · Fry Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Monroe

RAISIN MINNOW

The Raisin Minnow, it is a very simple fly to tie but yet it’s very affective. This fly is the product of about year and half of tries in trying to make the ultimate smallmouth fly for the river I fish on. The fly gets its name from the river that I guide on, the Raisin River. The Raisin is in Southeast Michigan, and cover a little over 1,000 square miles, and the lower part is some of the best smallmouth habitat to be had in the state. I have gotten many people in the last year that wanted me to so them how to tie this. So here it is.

So this what you will need:

Size 6 Mustad (S71S SS, or 3407DT)
3/0 thread or any large strong thread used on streamers (White)
White or Pearl Lead Eyes (Med for deeper or faster water, SM for summer time, or low water times)
Black Flashabou Accent
3D EP Fibers (Golden Olive 3-D, White)
White Rabbit Zonker Strips (1/8 inch)

Step 1
Lay a base layer of thread on the shank of the hook. Go all the way to the point of the hook

Step 2
Tie on your Eyes, Figure eight around them until they are firmly in place and then lock them in by raping under the eyes, and over the shank.

Step 3

Lay the Zonker Strip Hair down across the eyes, and tie the end of the strip to the shank of the hook. Make sure that your wraps are has close to the eyes ahs you can.

Step 4

Fold the strip over the wraps that you just made and wrap over them again, and push those wrap up and into the eyes.

Step5

Tie in some White EP Fibers ahead of the eyes. Just like you would on a Clouser minnow.

Step 6

Now flip the fly over and tie in your Flashabou. Look at the pic below, wrapping the Flashabou like this will make it hold and not slip out.

This pic is from your guys site I found this trick very handy thanks

Step 7
Now tie in the Olive EP Fibers just like you would tie in the top color on a Clouser. Tie off your thread, and put what every glue or finish you want to hold the thread on the front of the fly.

The reason I use the EP Fibers is this, they do not take on water, and they have more movement then natural hair. They also reflect light very well and change colors slightly at times just like a real minnow will do when it swims.

So I hope this will Give you all something to work onthis fall and winter below is some fish taken on this fly I caught 20 fish that day on one fly that fly is still in my box right now thats how tough this bugger is.

chromedome · Lunker Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 390

Hey Pal,

Nice tie... Very Happy

I think it would be better served to call it a Clouser Minnow variation. In reality, thats all it is, nothing original or nothing that I see really requires alot of trial and error...The work was already done for you. Your choice of materials really leads itself to be a fish catcher and a durable fly.

Glad you have success with it, but I think its just another Clouser to me. As a avid tyer and someone who has tied commercially, I've seen very little ties that are original. Alot of variations going on, and for some reason the proper credit is not given? I guess its cuz it sells issues of flytyer, Fly &Fish, Fly Fisherman Mag, etc...Every one wants to tie the "NEW" fly...

Thanks for sharing your Variation....

raisinrat · Fry Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Monroe

Is it A little like a Clouser yes but it's not a one, In fact it has another fly in there has well. and what took me so long to get it where I liked it was tring to make it tough enough and also to give it the look I want. Also something I forgot to put in there has well is that I trim the belly EP fibers on angle, this makes the rabbit move a certain way. But with that said you still have to name it, if you just called it a Clouser Minnow variation what fun would that be. Very Happy