Thunder Creek Minnow
Also known as the Thunder Creek Silver Shiner, the Thunder Creek Minnow is one of a large group of themed patterns that makes a robust and effective imitation of a small baitfish. The Thunder Creek range was devised by American Tyler Keith Fulsher to imitate a whole variety of fish species.
Deceptively simple, the trick to tying this fly is in getting the hair the right length and keeping the two colours separate.
Materials
- Hook: Size 6 to 8 3x longshank
- Thread: Red
- Body: Medium-width oval silver tinsel
- Wing: White or brown bucktail
- Head: Clear lacquer with painted eyes
Source: The Fly Tying Bible, pp. 216-17
Alternative
- Hook: Straight eye streamer hook, size 2-6
- Thread: UTC 140 White
- Body: Pearl Tinsel or Saltwater Flashabou
- Wing: Bucktail (chartruese and white)
- Eyes: Flat stick ons
Source: FlysandGuides.com
1. After fixing the hook in the vise, run on the tying thread at the eye and carry it down the shank to the bend. Catch in 6 inches (15cm) of embossed or medium-width, oval, silver tinsel.
Wind the thread on in close turns to lock the waste end of the tinsel along the shank. This provides an even base for the tinsel body. Wind the tinsel in touching turns toward the eye.
Secure the end of the tinsel close to the eye and remove the excess. Take a bunch of white bucktail, approximately twice the length of the hook, and catch it in under the eye so the tips project past it.
Take a bunch of brown bucktail the same length as the white. Catch it in on the upper side of the shank so the tips of both bunches are level. Secure the butts with tight, close turns of tying thread.
Carry the thread a quarter of the way back down the shank. Draw both bunches of hair back over the body, taking care not to mix the two colours too much. Secure them in place with thread wraps.
Cast off the tying thread with a whip finish to leave a conspicuous red collar. Apply two coats of clear lacquer to the head and. when dry, add painted eyes on each side.
Tying a Thunder Creek Streamer with Jim Misiura
Marabou Thunder Creek, Phil Crowley
