JP’s Minnow
| By Jeff Pierce - AKA “Dr. Fish” JP’s Minnow is a great little fly for a couple of important reasons. For starters it’s a very effective pattern that catches a great many species of fish. I have caught numerous species on 4 continents with this little beauty. The other reason it’s a great pattern is that it is just so darn easy to tie! With as many flies as I tie and go through, I sure do love the easy ones. |
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Tying instructions: |
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Step 1:
Slide Tungsten bead onto hook and secure Circle Streamer hook in vise. Slide the bead up to the eye and wrap a short base of thread just behind the bead. |
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Step 2: Cut a small piece of Pearl Wing N’ Flash and secure it to the underside of the hook with a few wraps. |
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Step 3: |
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Step 4: Cut a small piece Fl. Orange Fluorofiber and secure it to the underside of the hook just behind the bead. |
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Step 5:
Cut a small piece of Pearl Wing N’ Flash and secure it to the topside of the hook with a few wraps. Be sure the Wing N’ Flash spreads down along both sides so as to hide the hook well. Now cut a small piece of Dark Green Wing N’ Flash and secure it to the topside of the hook over the Pearl you just tied in. Whip-finish and apply head cement. |
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Step 6: Once head cement is dry remove the fly from the vise and comb out the Wing N’ Flash to get a nice and secure, slender body. I like to use a toothbrush for this. Now trim the fly to the desired shape. I like this fly pattern for imitating small Creek Chubs, Dace and the other various sleek and slender minnows that are found most everywhere you look. Once you get it trimmed up you’re finished and it’s ready for deployment! |
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Fishing suggestions:As I mentioned above JP’s Minnow is a great little fly because it seems that just about everything will eat it. I fish this as I do any streamer pattern and really like the Circle Streamer hook. Since I’m often dead drifting the fly or swinging it the Circle Streamer hooks up the fish well, even on a slack line, and holds the fish like a vise grip.
JP’s Minnow is also a great little saltwater fly as it imitates Herring and Anchovy fry. I have done well working it along the mangroves for Snapper, small Barracuda, Jacks, Snook and have even taken a Bonefish on it. So as you can see, JP’s Minnow is a very versatile fly that is a breeze to tie. Give it a try and I think you’ll find it to be a great little addition to your fly box.
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I fish this fly in ponds and lakes quite often for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Panfish and Trout. The Smallmouth Bass seem especially fond of this fly. I like working the shoreline or any other shallow water structure with it. It cast’s easily, even on my 2WT, yet gets down fast enough for my liking. When targeting bass I like to cast tight to structure and let the fly sink a bit. I then begin retrieving the fly with one long, quick first strip and then continue with short, quick 6-inch strips. Often, the fish will come on the first couple of strips. This little fly has accounted for several Trophy class Smallmouth in the 4-6lb range. While fishing for Smallmouth this summer I had a couple of nice Carp in the 15-20lb range eat the fly with gusto, which was a welcome surprise. The Peacock Bass and Piranha of Amazonia also were eager to take the fly. 
This is also a great fly when fishing streams and rivers for Trout. I typically cast ¾ downstream, give a couple quick strips and then let the fly swing in the current. Most of the fish come on the first couple of strips or when the fly has completed it’s swing and I begin stripping it in. Also, when fishing deeper runs I like to cast upstream, throwing some slack into the line, allowing the fly to get down deep. I then mend the line to pick up the slack and twitch the fly as it drifts through the pool. I have scored some impressive resident stream trout this way both here in my home waters of Upstate NY and out West in Colorado and Montana. My two biggest Cutthroat to date came on this fly this summer while fishing in Southwestern Montana. I have also done well fishing for the BIG Great Lakes Brown Trout in the tributaries swinging this fly.