Minnow Recipe for Fathead Minnow

Fathead Minnow
Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Pimephales promelas

Hey Fox!
Here’s what I have to say about your Fathead minnow pattern: Two (2) days on the Bow River, Calgary, Alberta, Canada in February 2007 using the Fathead pattern accounted for the following catch and released fish: Qty 3, Rainbow Trout (between 2-4Lbs) Qty 1, Rocky Mountain Whitefish (1.5Lbs) Qty 2, Brown Trout (between 5 and 6 Lbs). This baitfish is common in the Eastern Rockies and Foothills of Alberta and may be a resident of the Bow River system, but I’m sure your Fathead minnow pattern closely resembles a small Rocky Mountain Whitefish as well. Regardless of either, this pattern is deadly on wintering fish in deep pools and runs! I fish the pattern dead drift, using a floating (4WT) line with a minimum 8Lb leader tippet. Casting upstream and slightly across, I let the weight of the eyes bounce along the bottom, presenting the fly slightly broadside to the fish. The hook is facing up, snag free as your pattern was designed and performs better than any streamer I’ve used so far! Browns seem to pick up the fly and chew on it for a bit, then do no let go! I just lift the rod tip and the fish is hooked! Thanks for the web site patterns.
Dave Meadows
Calgary, AB

Maximum Size: 3
Shape: Robust.
Suggested Hook & Size: Mustad 33909 #2 - #14
Thread: Dark Brown, 8/0 Uni-thread

Tail: Copper Hanked Lite-Brite
Tail Fin: Clear
Body: Gold Bodi-Braid skip wrapped leaving space between the windings.
Eye & Insert: Gold, Spirit River, Real Eye with Priz Chartreuse 3-D Molded insert
Lower Side: Gold Hanked Lite-Brite
Upper Side: Gold Hanked Lite-Brite

Snout Color or Change Thread: Dark Brown
Belly or Stomach: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite
Dorsum or Back: Hare's Ear Hanked Lite-Brite then Copper Hanked Lite-Brite sparsely for mid dorsum stripe

Head Color: Brown
Cheek & Chin Color: Pearl Green
Pectoral Fins: Clear
Anal Fin: Clear
Pelvic Fin: Clear
Dorsal Fin: Clear

Colored Markers: None
Tying Notes: None

Distribution: The Fathead Minnow is found from the eastern slope of the Rockies to the western slope of the Appalachians, and into Canada.
Habitat: Prefers ponds, small lakes, and sluggish streams.
Spawning Period: An extended spawning period from early April to August depending on the locale.
Spawning Habitat: Under hard objects such as logs, rocks, etc.
Important Notes: The Fathead Minnow is second commercially only to the Golden Shiner. Rarely does the Fathead Minnow live past their second summer.