Fly Tying Inventory
Mickey Finn
One of the most famous classic streamer patterns, featuring a distinctive red and yellow bucktail wing with a silver body. Originally named the Assassin, the Mickey Finn has been catching trout, bass, and salmon since the 1930s and remains a staple in every streamer box.
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Materials
3XL-4XL streamer hook (TMC 300, Mustad 9575), sizes 4-10
Black 6/0 (140 denier)
Flat silver tinsel or silver Mylar tinsel
Oval silver tinsel
Bucktail in three layers: yellow, red, yellow (bottom to top)
Head cement for a smooth, lacquered head
How to Tie the Mickey Finn
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook in vise. Start thread behind the eye and wrap a smooth base rearward to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a length of oval silver tinsel at the bend for the rib.
Secure the tag end along the shank to avoid bumps.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in flat silver tinsel at the bend and wrap forward in smooth, overlapping turns to form the body. Tie off at the 3/4 point.
- 4
Step 4
Counter-wrap the oval silver tinsel forward in 4-5 evenly spaced turns as a rib. Tie off.
Counter-wrapping the rib reinforces the tinsel body against teeth.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in the first layer of yellow bucktail on top of the shank, about 1/3 of the total wing volume. Extend to the bend.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in a thin layer of red bucktail on top of the yellow, about 1/3 of the total wing volume.
- 7
Step 7
Tie in the final layer of yellow bucktail on top of the red. The three-layer wing should be visible from above.
Keep each layer sparse and even — the red stripe should be clearly visible from the side.
- 8
Step 8
Build a smooth, tapered thread head. Apply 2-3 coats of head cement for a classic lacquered look.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzS4LjZ5Zj8
Credit: John Alden Knight (1930s), named by Gregory Clark