StreamersThinmint Streamer
The Thinmint Streamer is a versatile baitfish pattern that combines the proven fish-catching appeal of peacock herl with modern flash materials and a soft marabou tail. This pattern features a gold tungsten bead for weight and attraction, a three-tone marabou tail in olive, brown, and black that creates depth and dimension, pearl mirage lateral scale flash, a peacock herl body ribbed with copper wire and lateral scale, and a furnace hackle collar that adds movement and creates the illusion of pectoral fins.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout, Bass
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents a modern take on classic soft-hackle streamer construction. The "Thinmint" name references the pattern's slim profile and the minty-green flash from the lateral scale material. The three-color marabou tail creates a multi-dimensional appearance that suggests the varied coloration of natural baitfish. The dual rib system - copper wire for durability and lateral scale for flash - protects the delicate peacock herl body while adding visual interest. The furnace hackle (brown with a darker center stripe) creates the barred appearance common to many baitfish and sculpins. The gold tungsten bead provides both weight and an attractive head that catches light underwater.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 5262, #4-12
Bead: Tungsten Bead (5/32), gold
Thread: UNI 6/0, black
Rib: Wire (UTC, small), copper
Rib 2: Lateral Scale (Mirage), pearl
Tail: Marabou, olive, brown, and black
Flash: Lateral Scale (Mirage), pearl
Body: Peacock Eye Herl
Hackle: Rooster Saddle, furnace
Fishing Tips
Season
Effective year-round but particularly productive in spring and fall when trout are actively feeding on baitfish. Also excellent in winter when slower presentations are needed.
Presentation
Fish with varied retrieves - strip-pause presentations work well, as do slow swings across current. The marabou tail and hackle provide movement even during pauses, making it effective on slow retrieves.
When to Use
Select this pattern when targeting aggressive trout or bass feeding on baitfish. Works as both a searching pattern to cover water and a targeted presentation to fish holding near structure.
Water Type
Versatile pattern for both moving water and stillwater. Excels in deeper pools, runs with structure, and along drop-offs in lakes. The weighted design helps reach fish holding in deeper water.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader with 2X-3X fluorocarbon tippet. Use a floating line in shallow water or sink-tip line for deeper presentations. The tungsten bead provides good sink rate for most applications.
Visibility & Floatation
This is a sinking pattern designed to probe the water column. The peacock herl body and lateral scale flash provide attraction in various light conditions while the multi-tone marabou creates a realistic profile.
