Vickie’s Brown Predator Minnow
I have had a blast fishing my Predator Minnow pattern for the past four years! The tails are perfectly matched in length to the natural prey and are layered with marabou, squirrel tail, and UV materials. The blend of these materials creates the perfect combination and has proven exceptionally effective in attracting big fish.
Minnows are an important food source for trout. Minnow patterns are effective in attracting larger trout because as a trout reaches 16 inches, the size of its mouth increases allowing it to consume forage fish and minnows for rich sources of protein.
Tiger Trout caught on my Gray Predator Minnow
Minnows are the largest family of vertebrates with well over 2,000 species, and the largest family of fishes in Oregon with both native and nonnative species according to A Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Oregon, by Douglas F. Markle (Oregon State University Press, 2016). I have created four color variations of my Predator Minnow to match the variety of minnow species: Brown, Gray, Olive, and Yellow. I find they all are effective, although I favor the yellow during the fall when large spawning brown trout cruise shallow shorelines during low light conditions. I have also found all colors of the Predator Minnow productive in attracting Bass found tight to shorelines during warmer months.
Bass caught on Vickie’s Brown Predator Minnow
Since minnows usually spawn in late spring and summer, you can observe young minnows in large numbers in shallow water along shorelines of lakes and streams at these times.
Minnows along shallow shoreline
Gambusia Minnows
Five Tips when fishing my Predator Minnow:
- When targeting large trout, fish the Predator Minnow close to shoreline areas during times of low light including cloudy conditions, stormy days, daybreak, and at sundown. This is when big trout come out to hunt as they feel safe from predators.
- Present the fly just below the surface when you observe nervous water created by excited minnows jumping in every direction to escape trout swimming below them. This can be achieved by using floating, hoover, or slow intermediate sink tip lines. During windy conditions, I prefer using the Camo Tip 7-foot slow intermediate sinking line which will suspend the fly in the top two feet and avoid line drag.
- Be prepared with heavier tippets as the takes can be aggressive. I never use anything smaller than a #2X fluorocarbon tippet (10.9lbs.).
- Make short 4-6 inch jerky retrieves to mirror the natural movement of minnows.
- Use a loop knot to tie the minnow pattern to the tippet. This allows the fly to swing freely and increase its movement.
Trout caught on my Gray Predator Minnow tied to the tippet using a loop knot
These flies are available on my new retail web site. My Predator Minnow is available in Brown, Gray, Olive, and Yellow, in Hook Size #8.
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