Mousees

[papaperch]

The above pic is what us icefishermen refer to as a Mousee. They are actually a larva of a drone fly. The drone fly resembles a honey bee but is just a fly. Anyway due to drought conditions and our over zealous EPA they have been almost impossible to find to buy. They thrive in stagnant ponds with rotting vegetable matter. Large vegetable processing plants were a goldmine for these to thrive.

Veteran ice guys know that the mousee is one of the most effective live baits used thru the ice. The tail is important as the mousee wiggles and twists it when hooked properly. That is hooking the grub without killing it.
They are real close to size of regular maggot.

I think this will be about the 4th year in a row they are in chronic short supply. So being a handy dandy jig tyer I came up with these to imitate the real thing. In actual use they are going to be tipped with a maggot. Used mono thread as base, then formed body using dental floss on dry fly hooks sizes 12 , 16. First step was to put small bead on hook. Think these are the smallest beads they make. Used varying material for tail. Most used was sili-leg. Anyway heres the result.

forgot to add they have to be used with a heavier lure. These are almost weightless. They can be tied either below or above a heavier jig or spoon.

 

[Hawnjigs]

I used to see as many drone flies as honey bees here, but the d-flies disappeared long ago and the bees seem to be gone now as well.

The shape of your ties is darn close, tho the colors don't appear very true to life. Would be interested how they work.

 

[Radtexan]

Dang Papa,dont know anything about them mices,but the ties look great...

 

[papaperch]

I remember that great actor Jinxs the Cat saying about Pixie and Dixie " I hates them meeces to pieces. ".

 

[StumpHunter]

Looks like the meeces to me!! LOL
Nicely tied, look forward to hearing how they work for you through the ice.

 

[quivira kid]

I bet they will catch a few for ya. I like them! I've been working on a few droppers as well for when things slow down and fish get a bit more finicky.

 

[CrappieHappy]

nice jigs.

 

[smalljaw]

Awesome imitation!!!! I only tried ice fishing a few times and I didn't know much about it but one thing I was told was that live bait is a must. If I had jigs like that when I was out I bet I wouldn't need bait, I think they all look great but the ones with the white bead look real, that looks like some kind of maggot.

 

[AtticaFish]

Those should do the trick, nice adaptation!

 

[Bucko]

you have me thinking now. I need to get supplies reorder and start tying again... I haven't been able to get mousees here for ice fishing in 2 years.

 

[Kdog]

The above pic is what us icefishermen refer to as a Mousee. They are actually a larva of a drone fly. The drone fly resembles a honey bee but is just a fly. Anyway due to drought conditions and our over zealous EPA they have been almost impossible to find to buy. They thrive in stagnant ponds with rotting vegetable matter. Large vegetable processing plants were a goldmine for these to thrive.

Veteran ice guys know that the mousee is one of the most effective live baits used thru the ice. The tail is important as the mousee wiggles and twists it when hooked properly. That is hooking the grub without killing it.
They are real close to size of regular maggot.

I think this will be about the 4th year in a row they are in chronic short supply. So being a handy dandy jig tyer I came up with these to imitate the real thing. In actual use they are going to be tipped with a maggot. Used mono thread as base, then formed body using dental floss on dry fly hooks sizes 12 , 16. First step was to put small bead on hook. Think these are the smallest beads they make. Used varying material for tail. Most used was sili-leg. Anyway heres the result.

forgot to add they have to be used with a heavier lure. These are almost weightless. They can be tied either below or above a heavier jig or spoon.

I read your post and stopped by my local bait shop. He has plenty butter worms but no moussee's and said supplies are iffy this year. He says the butter worms are almost as good and better for some species, but a salesman will always say that. I always ask if I get a refund if I don't catch fish!

Also via the web I found http://www.knutsonlivebait.com/mousees.html

 

[papaperch]

Thanks for the link . But that is awful high price for those. I understand about the shortage and all but am too used to old prices.
When they were more commonly available the going price was only about 3.00 more a 1000 than regular maggots.

You were right to be suspicious of that sales pitch. I never did all that good on butter worms. The 3 mainstays used to be maggots, mousies and wax worms. To be fair I did not try butter worms all that much. always did well enough on other 3 baits I mentioned.

 

[Kdog]

Living where I do, I am a big fan of Grubco so usually use wax worms and mealworms both of which they raise on site and prices are very reasonable. Here is their link http://www.grubco.com/index.cfm

 

[quivira kid]

I get my goodies from Jada Bait..... made the difference on a few fish for me yesterday! (Just gotta replace the set of forceps I dropped in the drink when the 14" crappie broke the surface )

 

[LedHed]

Fabulous tyes papa - "reel" fish getters. Great links for bait guys - thnx.

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

I was on ebay and actually found mousies on there for $7.95 per hundred with free shipping. I was tempted to buy some as well as some maggots but was wondering how they should be stored. Papa, what is the best way to hook them?

 

[Bucko]

hook them like you would a wiggler ( what we call maggots), but they need to be refrigerated, and slightly most in the container.

 

[papaperch]

JJ- here is the way I have been doing it for years. Maggot or mousie use same approach. Using a small fine wire hook. Take one and roll it with no pressure between two fingers. This will cause it to puff up slightly. Nip lightly at the head end. since a mousie has a tail its obvious which end. A little more subtle on maggot If you examine maggot closely it has a pointed end and a blunt end with two very small dots. The end with the dots is the head. This is the toughest part of the body for either.

Maggots I usually put 2 on hook , mousie only 1. It is very possible to catch several fish on one bait if hooked properly. As Bucho stated both need to be kept in fridge at 33 degrees or so. Just above freezing actually. Way I do it since I buy in bulk. Leave in original shipping container mostly a plastic bag. When you go fishing take just enough for fishing that day. 36-50 should be plenty. If you get moisture rain or snow in container you take while fishing. Do NOT bring leftovers back home. If container remains dry return unused maggots or mousies back to your fridge.

Note to all married men : This should be painfully obvious but since it was not to me. DO NOT USE the family fridge for bait storage. Women have no sense of humor when it comes to the fridge. Buy one of those dormitory fridges or get a small used one. Normally can be found pretty cheap.

Forgot to mention that when commonly available. I used to buy at 15.00 per 1000 on the mousies if memory serves me.

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

All we have here is waxworms or mealworms. No mousies or maggots so I've been wanting to try them. I've been using the family fridge since we were married 35 years ago this Sunday without complaint except for the one time when rubber band came off a bag of shiners. I had shiners swimming in the vegetable storage.

 

[papaperch]

You have a rare jewel indeed sir. Treasure her. LOL at shiners hanging 10 in veg storage.