Need some Help, Minnow Streamers

[Allmyne]

What streamers do you recommend to resemble a minnow? I have seen plenty of guys using fresh dead minnows and fishing it like a streamer with great results. I have used the Micky finn, and black nose dace any other recommendations?

[AaronJasper]

where were you fishing? for the scenario that you described i swould use a zonker. for zonkers i like the colors... olive, white, black and natural. for an imitation of minnows that bait fisherman use i would go with the natural colored zonker. zonkers even have the same profile as a minnow. the only thing that you are lacking is the scent of the minnow and that is one reason why the bait guys hammer them. we need to make minnow flavor scent for our streamers

[SlowNDeep]

Use bucktails. Vary the darkness with the amount of brown/black/grey you use. They are very effective

[FK]

I really like the rabbit strip flys, double bunny, zonker and other similar designs.

The rabbit moves and pulses in the current even when dead drifted.'

Regards,
FK

[Allmyne]

Thanks for the info, I fish PA the white haven area, mostly the leigh, mudd run, and a ton of native streams we have here.

[hot4nymphs]

Hi All,
I have to agree that the zonker is a great streamer - the movement of the fur strip in the water seems to drive them wild and it is not very hard to tie. the Green Ghost can be very effective as well. I hear a lot of positive talk about small deceivers and Clousers, but I don't have any first-hand experience.
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[rckrego]

Bob Clouser has developed several baitfish patterns specifically imitating the baitfish of the susquehanna river drainage. Even though you're fishing the White Haven area, I'm sure some of those patterns will be extremely effective. Also, thought they don't get much attention anymore, there are the Thunder Creek streamers which my buddy and I are goign to put to the test this summer. They look very life-like.

[alanb_ct]

I agree with all of the above posts, but in my experience, trout feeding on minnows prefer a well-presented Black Ghost above all else. Any serious streamer fishermen should carry this fly in sizes 6-14. The classic style with a hackle tip is hard to tie and the right material often eludes me. If you choose to tie your own, consider using maribou, bucktail or zonker strips in place of the feather wing.

The article entitled "Young-of-the-Year Streamers" by Art Lee in his book "Lore of Trout Fishing" says it all. He describes various scenarios where big trout (mainly browns) feed on young-of-year minnows, often in shallow water. His favorite imitative fly for baby minnows is the venerable Black Ghost.

Good luck, please let us know of your success!

[SlowNDeep]

Noone loves rabbit strip streamers more than I do, but if you're fishing in smaller streams, especially in low clear water, you will have better luck with bucktails (or the aforementioned Black Ghost).

I personally have much better luck with the "fuller" streamers in higher or off color water.