Paul J. Beel, an Indiana native who runs the Franken Fly fly-tying website, is an avid smallmouth-bass fisherman, and he created the Yellow Meanie to mimic one of his local baitfish. Of the pattern, he says, “[It] isn’t a pretty fly, but it is my go-to for smallmouth. It mimics a darter and it is killer. Strip it, give it a pause and that hackle tail in back does a shimmy-shake.”
In this week’s video, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions shows you how to create this bulky, flashy, yet translucent pattern that looks great in the water. The process involves mixing several kinds of dubbing together, which is a good skill to have for a variety of fly patterns. Getting the proportions just right is important, and Tim demonstrates how he makes sure everything goes in its right place. The result is a fly that runs hook-up in the water and should draw strikes from all manner of sportfish.
Yellow Meanie
Hook: Partridge Attitude Extra hook, size 2.
Thread #1: Olive, 6/0 or 140-denier.
Eyes: Yellow-and black Presentation Lead Eyes, small.
Tail: Cree or ginger-grizzly saddle hackle.
Body: Canadian-Olive Arizona Mega Simi Seal, blended with green, orange, and yellow Franken Dub.
Flash: Rootbeer Krystal Flash.
Wing: Olive arctic fox.
Head: Dubbing mixture above.
Adhesive: Head cement.
Tools: Ruler, dubbing whirl, dubbing needle, plunger-style hackle pliers, whip-finisher, toothbrush.
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