Tying the Morrish Mouse
Posted By Kent Klewein on February 24, 2010
With spring just around the corner I’m looking forward to start fishing my favorite fly pattern for big trophy trout, the mouse pattern. During the warmer months when I know there are big fish in the river or stream, you’ll often see me rig up a stiff butt 2x leader and tie one of my favorite mouse patterns on.
The crushing strikes and v-wakes behind my mouse patterns are what gave me the bug for mouse fishing. If your willing to give up the numbers and and cast this large fly all day, your going to get rewarded with above average trout and killer takes. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, you also have to put up with false hook-ups on the biggest trout of your life as well. Can you deal with that? I missed some giants on the South Platte River (Dream Stream Section) last year. Everyone was fishing size 20 nymphs and smaller, and looked at me like I was nuts. Sometimes it pays to employ different tactics on streams that are heavily pressured. Too bad I didn’t land the giants that ran down and smashed my mouse patterns out there. I probably could have convinced a few of those anglers out there to give it a try.
Your hook sets need to be slow to allow for the trout to eat the fly, close its mouth, and turn. If you set the hook too quickly you’ll pull the fly out of the trout’s mouth every time. I sometimes wait for the tug before I set the hook, which seems to work very well. One things for sure, your going to miss fish throwing mouse patterns. It’s just part of the game. So be prepared for it, and it won’t bother you so much when it happens.
I started out my mouse fishing career with traditional, realistic patterns constructed with all deer hair. You know, the ones with eyes, whiskers, and ears. They’ve produced well for me over the years, but I’ve always had to dry out the fly constantly so it would stay afloat. I’ve since been introduced to the Morrish Mouse pattern. It’s tied with a thick foam back, which keeps the pattern buoyant while fishing it. Even better, it’s much easier to tie than traditional mouse patterns.
I fish the mouse patterns too ways. First, by casting across the river and skating the fly down and across. This method is probably the most popular way to fish mouse patterns and was the most successful for me when I was out in Alaska and fishing other big rivers. However, the second technique I use, is fishing the mouse with a strip and pause, casting it directly upstream or upstream and across. This method is very similar to fishing a bass popper. Many of the bites come during the pause, and because of this, I think my hook-up rates increase. You’ll have to experiment with the two methods to determine which fishing method works best for you on your fishing location. I can assure you though, it will be one or the other.
Go by your local fly shop and pick up a few mouse patterns for your spring and summer fishing. If you tie, even better, because you can start right now. I’ll give you a break down below on how to tie the Morrish Mouse pattern up.
Hook: Tiemco 8089 – Size 6
Thread: Mono .006-.008
Back: 3 mm foam of your choice
Body: Spun Deer Hair or Chenielle underbody with zonker strip wrapped over
Legs: Feel free to add a couple rubber legs to add action and profile
Lastly, Although it does seem that fishing your mouse patterns early and late in the day can provide a higher rate of fishing success, don’t let that notion keep you from fishing them anytime of the day. I’ve had great luck fishing mouse patterns during the middle of the day as well.
More Mouse Pattern Photos
Notice how dark the silhouette is on this mouse pattern. I think this is what many trout view when they see the pattern moving over head. Because of this, I don’t think it’s necessary to have your pattern colors perfectly matched to the natural. Just don’t tie them up in bright fluorescent colors 
Notice how the dry fluffy zonker smooths back nice imitating a mouse profile when it’s wet. Very cool.
Keep it Reel,
Capt. Kent Klewein Reel Job Fishing, LLC www.kent-klewein.com
I’ve read a few articles on these mouse patterns and they all seem to work so why not give them a try guys.