Schminnow

[ChrisR]

When tying the Schminnow, do the eyes get tied on the top of the hook shank (the side opposite the hook point as it sits in the vice), or the bottom? I have seen them pictured both ways.

[Chief1600]

http://www.hatches.tv/play.php?vid=222" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In this example using bead chain eyes they are on top. Guess it would depend on which way you want the hook point to ride, neither is wrong, at least to me.

[Evan]

No matter which side you tie them on, beadchain eyes alone won't be enough to make this pattern ride hook point up. If you don't care about that, then it doesn't matter where you tie the eyes in.

If you DO want the fly to ride point up, then you'll have to add a "beard" on the underside of the shank. I would use either calf tail or a synthetic fiber for that, so it will trap air bubbles and force the fly to ride point-up.

I don't usually add any weight or eyes to mine, but if I do, I prefer a beadhead on these patterns. Improves the jigging action.

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

White marabou tail, white ice chenille/estaz body, black plastic eyes on top of the hook shank. Anything else and it ain't a schminnow.

[dunfly]

I agree, eyes on top of the hook shank. A schminnow is not designed to ride point up.

[Wuluf]

I tied one this afternoon. What a great fly!

[ChrisR]

White marabou tail, white ice chenille/estaz body, black plastic eyes on top of the hook shank. Anything else and it ain't a schminnow.

I ended up in Norm Zeigler's shop this weekend. He said exactly Dunfly and Gil said, but said that is just how he designed it. He manipulates it to suit his needs, and even sells the same fly tied with weighted eyes that rides hook point up. I suppose that makes everyone right.

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

Pshhhhhh! What does Norm know.

If you don't bend the hook, it ain't a bendback.

If you slide the eyes forward to the hookeye on a Clouser, it ain't a Clouser ... it's a jig.

If you don't tie wings on your favorite dry fly, it's probably some type of emerger.

Leave Zeigler out of this. haha!!

[Chief1600]

black plastic eyes

Uh oh! Guess I better take a black Sharpie to the ones I tied with green eyes. I feel like such a failure

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

Uh oh! Guess I better take a black Sharpie to the ones I tied with green eyes. I feel like such a failure

As long as you recognize the error of your ways, you're coming right along!!

[Evan]

Uh oh! Guess I better take a black Sharpie to the ones I tied with green eyes. I feel like such a failure

As long as you recognize the error of your ways, you're coming right along!!

The irony of this whole discussion is that you're arguing about the details of a fly pattern that's bogus in the first place! You saltwater guys can call it a "schminnow" all you want, but that same fly has existed for nearly 100 years...and is called a WOLLY BUGGER. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolly_Bugger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

Evan ... you are 100 years and 100% wrong!!!

100 years ago they had never even thought of Estaz/Ice Chenille nor plastic eyes for that matter.

To top it off, the WB is "hackled" ... the Schminnow is not.

Check it out .. it's right here >>>>

HA!!

[BearsFan]

Just when I thought fly fishing could not be any more dull.

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

Just when I thought fly fishing could not be any more dull.

All in fun!!

[Evan]

Maribou tail streamer = Wolly Bugger. Whether the chenille is "crystal" or not, or whether the pattern has plastic eyes or a metal bead head is just pithy detail.

Back in Colorado, a guide named Pat Dorsey took your position to the extreme. He took classic patterns like Pheasant Tails and Hare's Ears, put a clear glass bead on them instead of a metal one, and called them his own new pattern = the Mercury Pheasant Tail/Mercury Hare's Ear. Now he gets 10 cents each time some poor schmuck buys one at a shop, even though those patterns have existed for decades. My point is that a few minor changes don't make a new fly. Just like plastic eyes and crystal chenille don't make a Wolly Bugger a Schminnow.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more mundane, right Bears Fan?

[Rik]

Elite alone wasn't enough. Now you guys are arguing over degrees of elite.....