The Gummy Minnow has proven itself to be a highly effective fly.
The problem is the weighting of the Gummy Minnow fly as typically tied, forces the hook point down,
and in shallow coastal waters this creates a snag problem.
To correct this problem, I have modified the tying method to make the Gummy Minnow ride in the water hook
point up, like a clouser, but without the wide eyes as seen on a clouser fly.
Step one
Tie the weight to the bottom of the hook shank, which will cause the hook to roll hook point up when the fly hits the water. I used a "Gator Eyes" Dumbbell style lead eye. This style eye has wider flat surfaces to rest against the hook shank, which makes them easy to tie to the hook shank where you want them.
Wrap the shank, then the shank and eyes, wrap around the eyes a couple of wraps close to the hook shank (horizontally in the picture) to cinch the wraps and whip finish and glue or epoxy. Pull thread toward the hook eye until the final step.
Note: The use of a single Medium Gator Eye weight (as shown) will cause the minnow to slowly sink sideways and act as a wounded bait fish when stripped.
Using a larger weight on the bottom of the hook will cause the hook point to ride point up.
Step 2
Cut a piece of Sili Skin the length you want the minnow to be. Puncture the Sili Skin with the hook (the hard part) and press onto the hook shank. Fold the Sili Skin over so it adheres to its self to form the minnows under body. Trim with scissors to shape of a minnow. Puncture to remove air bubbles.
Material Handling tips: It is easiest to apply the Sili Skin by marking the point in which you want the hook to go through the material. Peel the material back to that point and stop. (Hint - Peel the Sili Skin away from the backing not the backing from the Sili Skin.) Cut the backing down the fold line and cut a small portion of the Sili Skin at the point where you want the hook to penetrate. Slightly stretch the Sili Skin sideways at the point you cut it and create a small hole. ease the hook through the hole and place the peeled portion of the Sili Skin on the hook shank. You can start the fold at the front of the minnow then slowly peel back the remaining material with the least stretch you can and fold it over to form the underbody. Repeat this process to do the color layer on the back and the overcoat layer.
Step 3
Repeat the process for the minnows back, using a strip of Sili Skin that is cut narrower than the first,
which should be a darker color than used for the belly (under body).
Step 4
Place adhesive backed eyes to the minnow.
Explanation
Note: the piece of Mother of pearl Sili Skin held in front of the head of the minnow.
It is translucent and allows you to see the eye through the material, and the eye will not come off.
Step 5 (hook rotated point down for ease of trimming)
Cut a piece of Mother of Pearle Sili Skin larger than either of the previous pieces and apply over the previous two pieces.
Trim to shape with scissors.
Step 6
Wrap the thread (I used Orvis Clear Mono thread) around the front of the Sili Skin material and Whip finish it off.
Trim any excess material front hook eye. Secure the whip finish with head cement and you are finished.