Minnow Recipe for Mooneye

Mooneye
Osteoglossiformes Hiodontidae Hidon tergisus

Maximum Size: 15“
Shape: Slab-sided
Suggested Hook & Size: Mustad 33909 #1/0 - #14
Thread: White 8/0 Uni-thread

Tail: Silver Hanked Lite-Brite with Black Prismacolor
Pen on the caudal fin margin
Tail Fin: Black Prismacolor Pen for the margin
Body: Silver Bodi-Braid
Eye & Insert: Silver Spirit River, Real Eye with Priz Silver 3-D Molded insert
Lower Side: Silver Hanked Lite-Brite
Upper Side: Silver Hanked Lite-Brite

Snout Color or Change Thread: Olive 8/0 Uni-Thread
Belly or Stomach: Pearl Green Hanked Lite-Brite
Dorsum or Back: River Green Hanked Lite-Brite over sparsely
Head Color: River Green
Cheek & Chin Color: Silver

Pectoral Fins: Clear
Anal Fin: Clear
Pelvic Fin: Clear
Dorsal Fin: Clear

Colored Markers: Black Prismacolor Pen for the caudal fin margin
Tying Notes: None

Distribution: Found in the large rivers of the Mississippi, Mobile, St. Lawrence, and the Great Lakes (except Lake Superior) basins. Also occurs in the Hudson Bay drainage and a disjunct population in James Bay in Canada.
Habitat: Prefers large clear rivers and impoundments.
Spawning Period: In the spring around the same water temperatures as the Goldeye.
Spawning Habitat: Broadcast by upstream rushes of male and female.
Important Notes: A surface feeding fish, all sizes can be taken by a dry fly. Poor food quality but a good sport fish.