Smallest fly - no target but still got a lifer

[MuskieBait]

While trying to figure out how to catch Alewife the other day, I saw some Stickleback in the shallows. My guess was that these are Three-spined Stickleback. The Stickleback wouldn't take the flake of worm, but they attacked the swivels and splitshot with gusto. I thought that a dark coloured fly might get the Stickleback to bite firmly, so this was the result.

Smallest fly I've ever tied.

Even though it was a simple nymph pattern, it took me over 10 minutes to tie. Since the hook wire is so thin, I cannot put too much pressure on the wrap in fear of bending or even breaking off the hook point.

Before trying for the Three-spined Stickleback, I went to a little pond where Michael found Northern Redbelly Dace. I had not catch a Northern Redbelly Dace, but Michael reassured me that it was not hard. There were schools after schools of Northern Redbelly Dace and it took all of 30 seconds to catch one.

Northern Redbelly Dace (Chrosomus eos) - Species #390

Well, the fly worked for these guys. How about Stickleback?

So I went to a little spot where I knew Brook Stickleback existed. I could see some Brook Stickleback on nests and females were visiting the nest on occasion. They were not really in the mood to bite, perhaps too busy spawning. However, I did get a couple to finally take the hook.

So the fly worked for Brook Stickleback. It should work for Three-spined Stickleback too, right?

WRONG!

The Three-spined Stickleback continued to hit the swivel and split shots. Only on two occasions did the Sticklebacks sucked and spat the fly so fast that I didn't even have time to set the hook. I tried to tip the fly with a flake of worm but that did not induce more hits or a longer hold.

Well, back to the drawing board...the battle continues...

We spent the rest of the evening fishing for Alewife again, Richard, Michael and I. Michael got his lifer Alewife in no time and we kept some Alewife for future salmon bait. It was a fun filled afternoon of quickie fishing.

 

[Dozer]

Pretty cool report - size doesn't always matter

Maybe crimp the split shot directly onto the hook? Split shot imitation fly?

 

[MuskieBait]

Pretty cool report - size doesn't always matter

Maybe crimp the split shot directly onto the hook? Split shot imitation fly?

I cannot even crimp the split shot onto the hook since the wire is so thin. It either bend the hook or cut the hook. My only option is to tie the smallest gold bead I have onto the hook. Will test them out the next time I get a chance.

I decided to use the gold bead since I think they are attracted to the shininess of the split shot and the swivel. If any of you fished for sunfish before, you'll notice they do the same silly thing too.

The stickleback are spawning now and some of the males are guarding nest. I'm not sure if I can still find them in the same area after they finish spawning...so timing is of the essence.

I always say...big fish are easy to tempt to bite and hook...small ones are really the hardest since they are quick and their mouths are so small. Just imagine how tiny the mouth is on a 1" stickleback. The other difficulty in fishing for these little micros is trying to watch them take the bait and time the hookset. Imagine trying to see a hook smaller than a grain of rice with a wire so thin it simply disappears...and needing to see a 1" fish take that hook to set the hook...

It's frustrating and fun...but mostly frustrating...but the victories are very, very sweet.

 

[Shawarma]

What line do you use with a presentation of that size? And then how do you tie that knot without a magnifying glass?

It's amazing how many different species there are around us that we don't pay any attention to because of their size. Those are beautiful fish!

 

[MuskieBait]

2lb mono fly tippet (which is still a bit heavy...ideally I would use 1lb tippet but have none on hand).

I use a type of snell knot to tie it on. There is no hook eye on these hooks...but a flattened head where the hook eye is normally positioned. This head is used to prevent your snell knot from sliding off (a nub or a stopper).

Need good eyesight to tie the knot...but after tying a few, my fingers develop some muscle memory to tie it without having to look at the knot too much. It's not hard wrapping line around the hook shank.

Those fish are beautiful...but a male Rainbow Darter in spawning colour puts all other Ontario sport fish to shame...even Brook Trout.

Here's a male Rainbow Darter from the internet. I've yet to catch a male this coloured up...maybe this spring while hunting for more micros...

 

[Kit]

Wow that's amazing. Thanks for the share.

 

[hamiltonangler94]

Wow wat a beautiful fish