Unidentified Shiner

by Ted Naydan
(Charlton, NY)

This is so far an unknown type of shiner. I only caught two of these, and both were exactly the same. I was using a tanago rod when I caught these. Characterized by broken, dark blue, geometric patterns on its sides, a row of neon blue dots going down the center of the tail, and a distinctive, lyre shaped tail fin. Does anybody know exactly what species this is? Caught in a secluded little creek in upstate New York.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.