Mickey Finn Fly

Mickey Finn

A slim shiny profile with a distinct yellow and red/orange wing, imitates small baitfish, effective to target both freshwater and saltwater species.

How it's tied

The Mickey Finn is tied using a long shank hook and a simple combination of materials. The body is typically formed from flat tinsel or floss, wrapped around the hook shank to create a slim, shiny profile. The wing is the key feature of the Mickey Finn, made from stacked bucktail, usually in a combination of yellow and red, which gives the fly its distinctive appearance. The bucktail is carefully layered and tied down at the head of the fly, then trimmed to shape. Some variations of the Mickey Finn may include additional features, such as a throat made from hackle fibers or a head made from epoxy.

What it mimics

The Mickey Finn is designed to imitate small baitfish, such as minnows, shiners, or dace. Its slender profile, bright colors, and lifelike movement make it an effective and attention-grabbing imitation. It's mostly used 

Where it's used

The Mickey Finn is adaptable and can be used in all water types, both freshwater and saltwater. It is particularly effective in areas where baitfish are abundant or when fish are actively feeding on smaller prey. To fish the Mickey Finn effectively, use a variety of retrieves, such as stripping, twitching, or swinging, to mimic the erratic movement of a wounded or fleeing baitfish.

The Mickey Finn is mostly used for, but not limited to, trout and bass. It can also be effective for targeting other predatory fish species, such as pike, musky, or saltwater species like seabass, sea trout and redfish.

Fly tying video for the Mickey Finn

Fish you can can fly fish for with the Mickey Finn

Asp

Atlantic Cod

Atlantic Halibut

Atlantic Mackerel

Atlantic Salmon

Brown Trout

European Flounder

Garfish

Haddock

Perch

Pike

Pike-perch

Pollack

Rainbow Trout

Sea bass

Sea Trout

Twaid shad

Share the link to this fly

Save this fly in your favorites

Other flies

Adams

Alexandra

Ant

Biscuit Pattern

Black Gnat

Bloodworm

Blue Damsel

Blue Winged Olive

Brassie

Bread fly

Bumblebee

Bunny Leech

Butcher

Buzzer

Caddis Fly

Captain Crunch

Carnage Attractor

CDC

Chernobyl Ant

Clod Hopper

Clouser Minnow

Copper John

Crab Pattern

Crackleback

Czech Nymph

Daddy Long Legs

Damsel Nymph

Diawl Bach

Elk Hair Caddis

EP Streamer

Foam Beetle

Frog Popper

Glo Bug

Grannom Emerger

Grasshopper

Grey Wulf

Griffith's Gnat

Hare's Ear Nymph

Humpy

Humungus

Inch Worm

Invicta

Klinkhammer

Lady Bug

Lefty's Deceiver

Maggot

Magnus

March Brown

May Fly

Montana Nymph

Muddler Minnow

Palomino Midge

Parachute Adams

Peeping Caddis

Pheasant Tail Nymph

Prince Nymph

Red Tag

Rock Worm

Royal Coachman

RS2

Salmon Egg

San Juan Worm

Sand Eel

Sculpin

Sedge

Sedge Goddard

Shrimp Pattern

Shuttercock

Sparkle Dun

Sparkle Pupa

Spider Pattern

Squirminator

Stimulator

Stoat's Tail

Stone Fly

Woolly Bugger

X-Caddis

Zebra Midge

Zonker

Is your favorite fly not listed? Let us know.

Discover fly fishing around the world

New info about fish, locations and countries
Upskill with tips and tricks
Save your favorite species, flies, locations and more

FlyFish Circle is run by fly fishing enthusiasts and is completely free!

Join now