Fly Fishing
Tips
by Colin McKeown of
The New Fly Fisher
Using Mice Patterns to Catch
Smallmouth, Brook Trout & Pike.
Mice maybe cute but to big predatory fish they are an
easy meal. Mice often fall off grassy banks and out of
trees into the water. Big predators such as smallmouth
bass, northern pike and brook trout will readily eat these
high-protein meals if the opportunity presents itself. For
fly fishers, using mice patterns on the surface can lead to
some of the most explosive and exciting takes.
Mice made of deerhair or foam will all equally work. Use a
short stiff leader to 12lb tippet. A good leader would be 6-8
feet long. If you have pike in the area, ensure you use a
wire bite tippet. Cast mice patterns around visible structure
such as boulders, fallen trees, grassy river edges and
other similar locations. Slowly retrieve the mouse pattern
giving it an enticing swimming motion by wiggling your
rod tip during the retrieve. Takes will be heart-stopping
explosions which is one the strongest reasons why you
want to try this style of fishing.