FPV Minnow

Cheech - January 2026

T

he FPV Minnow: The Ultimate Baitfish Chameleon

Born out of the California Bay Area, the FPV Minnow is a major evolution of the classic Flash Tail Clouser. While it was inspired by chasing West Coast stripers, this fly was designed with one goal in mind: total versatility. Because of its unique profile and the way the materials sit, you can tie the FPV Minnow to mimic almost any species of baitfish—from baby Rainbow Trout to Bluegill to Yellow Perch and many more.

In this video, I break down:

The Flexible Head: A game-changer for realism. It adds a lifelike, squishy texture and profile that mimics real prey better than hard epoxy or UV resin.

The Slim-Keel System: My new low-profile weighting method. It keeps the fly keeled perfectly upright without adding the unnecessary bulk or "clunky" look of traditional lead eyes.

Precise Art Detail: Tips on how to get the fly to look like it has more depth by using multiple colors.

Whether you're targeting stripers, bass, trout, or offshore pelagics, the FPV Minnow is the multi-species tool your box is missing.

What The Pros Are Saying!

Brad Befus - Scientific Anglers

"The FPV Minnow is a standout design. Its belly-weigh keeps the fly riding true and hook-point up, slipping through structure with confidence. The balance head design and the balanced keel weight give it a lifelike swim and deadly action that predators can’t ignore. It’s a smart, fishy, design that is already proven for trout, smallmouth and largemouth. Excited to throw this pattern in a variety of fresh and saltwater situations."

Eli Iorg

“Every once in a while, a fly comes along that changes things. That’s what the FPV does. Easy to cast, easy to fish, and this thing flat out catches fish. I believe in a few streamer patterns, and this is now one of them.”

Josh Graffam and Garrison Doctor

"When fish are locked onto a specific baitfish, especially in cold, clear water, precision matters. The FPV Minnow combines a precisely matched baitfish profile, balanced keel, and dialed colorways to trigger even the most selective fish."

Material List

Hook: Umpqua XS506 BN Jig - 2

Hook (Alternate): Umpqua XS506H Specialty Jig Hook - 2

Thread: UTC Ultrathread 210 Denier - White

Thread (Alternate): 210 Denier Waxed Danville Flymaster Plus - White #377

Tail: Senyo's Shadow Fiber Blend - Rainbow Trout

Tail (Alternate): Flashabou - Original - 6905 - Pearl

Tail 2: Steve Farrar SF Blend - UV Olive

Tail 2 (Alternate): Flash 'N Slinky - Olive

Tail 3: Steve Farrar SF Blend - UV White

Tail 3 (Alternate): Flash 'N Slinky - White

Beads: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Classic Colors - 3/16" (4.6mm) - Gold