Bodkin / Patterns

Belly Scratcher Minnow

Streamer · Largemouth Bass · Smallmouth Bass · Panfish · Intermediate · 3 versions

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Fulling Mill streamer stripper or Gamakatsu B10S, 2
  • Thread Any (shown in tan/white) 6/0 (Semperfli classic waxed)

Materials

  • Underbody wire (wire, folded for a secure base)
  • Body Minnow belly (pale) (Ice Dub, doubled loop, brushed out)
  • Keel weight (2 slotted beads, 3-3.8mm)
  • Eyes Stick-on (optional)

How to tie it

  1. Start 6/0 thread; lay a length of wire along the shank with a short tag out the back, tie it in near the midpoint, fold it forward and bind it down for a secure underbody, then trim flush.
  2. Wrap thread back to the start of the bend.
  3. Form a doubled dubbing loop, load it with minnow-belly Ice Dub, spin lightly, and wrap it forward to about one eye-width behind the eye, keeping the wire out of the way.
  4. Brush out the dubbing aggressively with Velcro to create a full, buggy minnow body.
  5. Thread on two slotted beads (3-3.8mm) to weight and keel the fly; position them and brush the body fibers over the top to cover them.
  6. Build a slim head, keeping it sparse so the fly holds a flat, vertical profile; whip finish.
  7. Optionally add stick-on eyes and coat the head with adhesive, then paint as desired.

Other versions

2 more in the app: Fly Fish Food Tie, Chub.

Tying videos

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