I started experimenting with models that imitate minnows after several trips to the main golden dorado destinations, such as Goya, Esquina and La Paz, all in Argentina. During certain moments of the season, millions of minnows migrate along the coasts of the Paraná and other rivers, giving an View more...I started experimenting with models that imitate minnows after several trips to the main golden dorado destinations, such as Goya, Esquina and La Paz, all in Argentina. During certain moments of the season, millions of minnows migrate along the coasts of the Paraná and other rivers, giving an impressive natural show. We can see a very long and dark line formed by this incredible number of fish swimming by the coast.When this spectacle happens, the dorados focus on the minnows and turn selective into these small bright fish.It’s not easy to tempt a dorado when this happens, you may get some few strikes with traditional dorado flies but not much can be done. This is why I started trying shorter and broader flies with the silhouette of minnows.My first imitations were done with white goose feathers tied like the Killer flies from New Zealand, and those worked very well. The technique was casting the fly where the goldens were taking the minnows and let the fly drift and blend with the real minnows. As soon as it sunk below the minnows, the dorados attacked it right away. The “dead or hurt minnow” strategy made the difference. I started tying them with mallard duck feathers that are lightly barred and imitate the scales very well. The red or orange tail with black center; the silver sides; and the translucent green on the head make a great pattern, easy to tie and with non expensive materials. The secret is to tie it on a hook that sinks at the speed a real minnow sinks. It works very well in limpid waters even if there are no minnows crossing, and with a titanium or nylon weed-guard we can fish it in the vegetation and branches. You can send a message to Marcelo Morales for more info. Tying materials and more at BuenosAiresAnglers.com
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List of materials
MATERIALSHook: DAIICHI 2456, sizes1/0 to 3/0.Thread: 6/0 white, or transparent nylon of .10mm.Tail: 2 saddle hackles or schlapen, orange color.Inside body: Mylar tube, pearled or silver, and holographic silver tinsel.Gills: Antron dubbing, red.External body: 2 to 4 mallard duck feathers, or similar.Sides: silver Krystal flash or Flashabou.Reverse of the head: peacock sword.Head: Fish Skull Fish Mask, so we dont use epoxi.Eyes: Fish Skull Living Eyes matching the size of the Fish Mask. View more...MATERIALSHook: DAIICHI 2456, sizes1/0 to 3/0.Thread: 6/0 white, or transparent nylon of .10mm.Tail: 2 saddle hackles or schlapen, orange color.Inside body: Mylar tube, pearled or silver, and holographic silver tinsel.Gills: Antron dubbing, red.External body: 2 to 4 mallard duck feathers, or similar.Sides: silver Krystal flash or Flashabou.Reverse of the head: peacock sword.Head: Fish Skull Fish Mask, so we dont use epoxi.Eyes: Fish Skull Living Eyes matching the size of the Fish Mask.
Steps
Step 1
Get two saddle hackles together so it looks like one feather. Peel the feathers until only the tail is left. Insert the quills inside the mylar tube, and tie it on the hook. Careful, the tail should remain vertical. Use a black marker to make a line on the tail.
Step 2
With the holographic tinsel complete the rest of the inside of the body. I tie it on the front and start wrapping backwards, then to the front again. Makes it even and without gaps.
Step 3
With antron dubbing make the gills. Thick fibers maintain its size better.
Step 4
Choose the duck feathers for the body. They should be broad enough and long enough to reach the back of the fly without completely covering the tail. You can use two at each side if these are very fine. But the body must be translucent, it makes the fly effective.
Step 5
Tie a peacock swords bundle, short one. It’s the iris colors on the eyes of minnows and where their brain is.
Step 6
Tie a Krystal Flash bundle at each side.
Step 7
Cut the thread, trim and paint a dark green mark on the top of the head.
Step 8
Place some acrylic resin or a similar one on the head and place the fish mask. Harden it with the right lamp some 15 seconds. Both Wet a Hook Tuffleye and Bug Bond resins dry perfectly and re-main transparent.
Step 9
Glue the eyes and some resin to lock them. Finished and dried fly shown.
Step 11
The translucent minnow.
