The Schminnow is a small baitfish fly that Norm Zeigler developed for sight fishing snook off the beaches of southern Florida. It has earned a spot in a lot of saltwater boxes since then. It's a simple tie with only a few materials, and every one of them is easy to work with. That makes it a good fly for anyone getting started with saltwater patterns.
Where the Schminnow Fishes
Beach snook is where the fly started, and it is just as useful on dock light trips or anywhere glass minnows and other small baitfish are on the menu. The bead chain eyes are tied on the bottom of the hook, so the fly rides hook point down the way it sits in the vise. Gray stealth bead chain gives it a little weight and a more subtle look than bright silver eyes, which helps when the fish can see everything.
Video Tutorial
In this tutorial, Levi Opsatnic from Trident Fly Fishing ties the Schminnow on a size 1 Gamakatsu SC15. The pattern adapts to hooks from about 2/0 down to a size 6 or 8. White is his go-to color, but black, chartreuse, olive, pink and tan all work, so tie a few in different shades.
Materials List
| Material | SKU | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Gamakatsu SC15 Wide Gap Hooks 1 / 12 Pack |
SKU089726068143 | $7.99 |
 |
UNI-Mono Translucent Clear Thread | SKU802353005844 | $4.99 |
 |
Chicone's Stealth Bead Chain 4mm / Gray #165 |
SKU762820192739 | $3.49 |
 |
Hareline Extra Select Marabou Feathers White #377 |
SKU762820060496 | $4.49 |
 |
Hedron Lateral Scale 1/16in / Pearl #1703 |
SKU757398017034 | $6.49 |
 |
Spirit River Medium Estaz Chenille Pearl #114 |
SKU712421079311 | $3.99 |
 |
Zap-A-Gap Glue Medium CA | SKU087093004672 | $4.99 |
 |
Hareline Hard As Hull Head Cement | SKU080672583018 | $7.99 |
How to Tie the Schminnow, Step by Step
1. Hook and Thread
Put a size 1 Gamakatsu SC15 in the vise and start the clear UNI-Mono thread. Lay down a clean thread base back to about the bend, trim the tag, and bring the thread forward to about one eye length behind the hook eye.
2. Bead Chain Eyes
Tie a pair of gray stealth bead chain eyes on the bottom of the hook with three tightening wraps, then straighten them and lock them in with X-wraps and a few horizontal wraps around the base. A drop of Zap-A-Gap on the top and bottom makes them solid. Add a few more thread wraps while the glue dries.
3. Marabou Tail
Take the thread back to the bend and pick a white marabou feather with even tips. Clean off the fluff at the base, measure the tail to about the length of the hook shank, and tie it in with a pinch wrap. Wrap forward over the butts to build a smooth underbody before trimming, so the finished fly looks clean.
4. Lateral Scale Flash
Return the thread to the tail. Take one strand of Lateral Scale, fold it in half and cut it to get two pieces, then even the tips. Tie one piece along each side of the tail and keep it straight across the marabou. Rotating the vise makes the far side easier.
5. Estaz Body
Strip a few fibers off the end of the pearl Estaz to expose the core and tie it in at the side of the fly, right in front of the tail. Brush a little Hard As Hull on the thread there to lock it in. Make one wrap, then one wrap behind the tail to keep the marabou from fouling, then wrap forward, sweeping the fibers back on each turn. Work around the eyes and finish with a wrap or two in front of them.
6. Tie Off and Whip Finish
Tie off the Estaz with a few tight wraps and trim the excess. Sweep the fibers back, build a neat head, and whip finish.
Every material in this fly is in the Schminnow Video Material Kit. Set any item you already have to zero before adding the kit to your cart.
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