Fly Tying

Floating Mylar Minow
by Jack Miller

Hook - Various streamer hooks, size 8 to 2/0. Color of choice.

Thread - Strong thread such as flat waxed nylon.

Belly - Foam wrapped around hook shank, then over wrapped with Krystal Flash.

Throat - Tailing material swept back under belly.

Back & Body - 1/16 inch foam cut in length to fit inside large size pearl Mylar tubing that is a little longer than the hook shank. (Two pieces of 2 mm foam can be used side by side)

Eyes - Stick on eyes, size to fit. Color of choice.

Overcoat - Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, Dave's Flexament, etc. (used to keep the eyes on, fill in gaps, and to cement everything together.

Tying Instructions

1. Start thread above hook point. Tie in Krystal Flash leaving a tail the length of the hook. The remaining Krystal Flash will be used to form the "belly" of the fly.

2. Insert foam in the Mylar tubing and tie in on top of the hook over the barb. Turn the foam so the narrow side is sitting on the hook. Also be certain to bind the foam down with the tubing. Now tie in a bare piece of foam in front of the existing thread wraps.

3. Advance thread to just behind the hook eye. Wrap the bare piece of foam forward and tie down.

4. Wrap forward strands of Krystal Flash over foam and tie down in front of the hook eye. Sweep Krystal Flash back under the "belly" of the fly (in a beard fashion) and tie down again.

5. Fold the Mylar tubing with the foam inside forward.

6. Bind the Mylar tubing down with tight thread wraps. Be careful not break the thread. Cut the forward piece of the Mylar tubing at an angle from the hook eye to just above the thread wraps. Bind the tubing down with smooth wraps to the hook eye to form a head.

7. Using a permanent marker color the top of the fly.

8. Place stick on eyes.

9. Coat entire fly with Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, Dave's Flexament, or similar product.

The uniqueness of this fly is that the tubing is tied on top of the hook, instead of the hook through the tubing. It can be tied one to three tubes high. It can be tied as slider (the original pattern), as a popper (using a Magic Head), or as a diver by using a lip.