Tie the Crystal Schminnow for Snook and Baby Tarpon

Crystal Schminnow Recipe
Hook: Mustad 34007, #2
Thread: Flat Waxed Nylon, Fluorescent Green or White
Eyes: Plastic Mono Eyes, Black, Large
Tail: Marabou, White
Flash: Flashabou Accent, Pearl
Body: Estaz, White or Opalescent White
All of these items are sold individually on the Orlando Outfitters website at www.orlandooutf...
We also offer a Crystal Schminnow Tying Kit which is available here: orlandooutfitt...
Tying Notes
The Schminnow is a relatively easy fly to tie and is usually the first pattern we teach in introductory classes. The three steps that tyers most often have trouble with are tying in the mono eyes, tying in marabou, and working with Estaz. We provide specific instruction on these steps and others in our Basic Fly Tying playlist. Links to the individual videos are below:
Tying in Mono Eyes: • Basic Fly Tying: How t...
Managing Marabou and other Loose Materials: • Basic Fly Tying: How t...
Working With Estaz: • Basic Fly Tying: How t...
About the Crystal Schminnow
The Schminnow, or Crystal Schminnow, was designed by Captain Norm Zeigler specifically for catching snook off the beach around his home on Sanibel Island, Florida. It is very similar to an earlier pattern, Mark Sosin's Redfish Blossom, which is typically tied with lead or beadchain eyes. Norm likes to trim his marabou tails flat while we prefer to leave them full length with a natural taper.
This is a relatively easy fly to tie and is one we often teach in our basic tying classes. We go over each of the techniques used in tying this fly in detail in the videos in our Basic Fly Tying Playlist. You fill find the playlist here: • Basic Fly Tying: Essen...
Intended to be a combination shrimp and minnow, as its name suggests, this fly resembles both well enough to catch plenty of fish. It is effective not only on saltwater fish like snook, redfish, speckled trout and baby tarpon, but also on freshwater species like largemouth bass, peacock bass, and panfish.
The Schminnow can be fished at any speed, from very fast to barely moving. Unless there is a specific prey species I’m trying to imitate, I usually start with slow, steady 6 to 8” strips then change the retrieve until I figure out what’s working.
The schminnow is easy enough to tie that we often teach it to first time fly tyers. Its simplicity shouldn’t put off more advanced tyers though. It is a very effective and versatile pattern that catches fish wherever it is used. You can modify the sink rate with the addition of beadchain or lead eyes. Tie it in whatever color or size you prefer for both fresh and saltwater species.
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This video is part of our “Basic Fly Tying” playlist, which provides simple, concise instruction to those who are new to fly tying or want to brush up on their skills. This instruction is skills based, with each short video focusing on a specific skill or set of skills. Videos can be viewed individually, for help with a particular skill, or as a series. You will find the playlist here:
• Basic Fly Tying: Essen...

[@phhdvm]

Had a great evening of baby tarpon fishing tonight. The Schminnow
was all they wanted.

[@orlandooutfitters6525]

Sounds like a good time! Baby tarpon definitely love it.

[@paulallen7651]

Love the attribution at the beginning.
An easy fly that works!

[@orlandooutfitters6525]

Thanks for your comment. You've got to love a fly that is quick and easy to tie and catches fish as well as this one does!

[@marcg.9899]

Just made my first fly! Came out pretty good 👍

[@orlandooutfitters6525]

That's great! We hope you get a chance to try it out on some fish soon.

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

over here ( in Europe) we use this fly ( in zillion different colour combos) for trout.

[@orlandooutfitters6525]

Good to know. Thank you for your comment. I'll bet you call it by a different name!

[@Hannah-md9eo]

Could you also put rubber legs in the pattern? and what size hook are you using?

[@orlandooutfitters6525]

The hook is a #2 Mustad 34007. A longer shank hook would work fine too. Sure, you could add rubber legs as part of the tail or out the sides, like a Pat's Rubber Legs. This is basically a saltwater Woolly Bugger without hackle and can be modified in all kinds of ways.

[@Hannah-md9eo]

@@orlandooutfitters6525 Thank you so much!