Category Archives: Flies and tackle

Fly Lines for Minipi

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Much of the fishing at Minipi calls for using large, bushy dries, bombers, deer hair bugs, and weighted muddler minnows. Wind can also add to your casting problems. I avoid long, delicately or gradually tapered lines. They often have names that belie their design.

Standard weight forwards work fine, but one line I rely on heavily is a bug taper, or bass taper line, usually associated with bass fishing. Such a line has a shorter front taper, with heavier, shorter head. This keeps more weight well forward to help defeat wind and turn over large flies effectively. Check the profile of any line you consider using. This will be shown on the box or instruction sheet, or you can check it out online at the manufacturer’s website.

Another useful line is one with a 5’or 10’ sinking tip. This can be valuable when fish are not interested in surface offerings and you want to get a muddler minnow down in the water column.

For more tips and suggestions on what to put in your tackle box for a trip to Minipi, click here.

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Minipi Fly and Tackle

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The Beaver is in the water, the staff is ready and the Lodge is being prepped. It’s a busy week at Coopers’ Minipi Lodges so finding a moment to speak with our head guide Ray Best is pretty difficult. We managed to snag a minute or two for some quick pointers on what you should take in your tackle box for your trip to Minipi.

 Ray recommends:

–   8lb test tippet is a good start

–   Dry fly floatant such as Top Ride Floatant and Desiccant

–   Bug spray

–   Split Shot

–   A few small caddis, between size 6 and 12

–   Muddlers and bombers

–   A wooly bugger

–   Irresistibles

–   Polarized sunglasses are a must have

–   Sunblock and Chapstick (cherry flavor optional)

–   A mini-first aid kit

–   If you’re on a fly-out, take a boat bag. Take only what’s really necessary.

–   Definitely keep a collapsible wading staff with you.

–   Treats for the guides

Gotta love Ray’s sense of humor.

Talking Minipi in Denver, CO!

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The Fly Fishing Show started in Denver, CO, Friday January 3 with unseasonably warm weather. With temperatures pushing 60F, we expected booth visits to be slow, but it was quite the opposite. We consistently had interested fly fishers stop by to hear about the Minipi and its famous brookies. Many who stopped by were past visitors to Minipi and wanted to share their experiences. Everyone who has been there stated they had a fabulous time and are planning to return again someday. Over the past 10 years, we find that Friday brings out the most serious anglers of the three days and we often become quite engaged in the in-depth techniques associated with flyfishing for Minipi’s Brook Trout!

I gave a presentation in the Destination Theatre on mousing for Minipi brookies and about a dozen people sat in on the talk. Most had heard about fly fishing with mouse patterns, but associated the technique to trophy rainbows and could hardly believe the videos of these brook trout striking these huge flies. Those who have been exposed to fishing for brook trout on mice agree it is some of the most visually exciting fishing imaginable!

Saturday saw the temperatures plummet and heavy snows came to Denver. The visits to the booth were slow early on but steadily picked up as the day progressed. Again, we had many enjoyable and interesting conversations about brook trout. Many stopped by simply to glare at the pictures of Minipi’s colorful August brook trout, with some even claiming that it is simply not possible that a trout could exhibit such amazing oranges and reds. We encouraged these folks to come and see for themselves, as they will not be disappointed! I gave the same presentation again on mousing and had another good turnout. We had great dialog on patterns, how to tie them and then how to retrieve the mouse to engage the interest of a monster brookie. We were all wishing that this long and dreadful winter would soon end so we could get our feet and flies wet and wake up those brookies from their winter slumber!

By Sunday we were in the death grip of a deep freeze with highs not passing 15F. Again, visits to the booth were slow but steadily picked up through the day. We encountered new faces but also got a few re-visits from folks who had stopped by the earlier in the show. We shared stories of those perfect brook trout and how they must be doing this time of the year. We talked about the different stages of the fishing season and some pondered whether to catch these monster fish on huge drakes or tiny spinners. Others only want to fish with mice. But one thing is for certain: everyone wants to catch one or two of these treasures and admire their size and beauty at least once. The summer cannot get here soon enough!