The Pearl Mickey is a go-to fly pattern for Coho off the beach.
Sadly, created as a better mouse trap for sea-run Cutthroat trout in saltwater estuaries, it was a bust. In those same waters, however, Coho (silver) Salmon loved it, and I was awake enough to realize what they were telling me. Over thirty years later, the Pearl Mickey remains my “ace” fly pattern for sight casting to silvers milling off the beach. A clear, intermediate sink-rate fly line and fairly short fluorocarbon leader best presents and holds the fly at the right depth. A short, slow, jerky retrieve keeps the fly off the bottom and gives these non-feeding fish plenty of time to respond. In this color combination the pearlescent Flashabou picks up various hues and prismatically glows with an attractive electric blue-green aura. Fairly small, sharp, stout wire hooks are adequate to hold securely and not too big to frighten these shallow water “Bonefish of the Northern flats”.
Hook: Mustad 3666, Eagle Claw 1197N or equivalent, size 6.
Thread: Red, Uni-thread, 3/0.
Tail: None
Body: Silver, Polybraid or similar mylar material wound over hook shank. (clear coat for durability)
Wing: Sparse, layered Polar Bear hair, — 2/3 yellow over silver body — 1/3 red over yellow — 24 strands pearlescent Flashabou topping over all.
Head: Red tying thread clear lacquered/sealed.
