Muddler minnow pattern notes
The hook used by its originator Don Gapen was a Mustad 38941 3X Long streamer, this was one of the long flies. When tying slip wings its important to use waxed thread. The Dyneema I use in most my patterns is too smooth for for wet fly style wings and has to be waxed in order not to slip.
The original Muddler Minnow recipe is as above but excluding the copper wire rib. The rib is a later addition. The original was tied with metal tinsel that required no protection from the small sharp teeth of trout but later as plastic tinsel became the norm the wire rib was added to protect the tinsel and add additional strength. When spinning large bunches of deer hair I recommend, if you are using regular tying thread a minimum denier of 3/0 waxed is necessary to have sufficient strength to apply enough tension to achieve optimal flare in the deer hair. When tying spun and clipped deer hair patterns your choice of hair is paramount. See my earlier posts regarding tying with deer hair.
If I was unfortunate enough to be be given the choice of having only one fly to fish for all species both in fresh and salt water, I would have no problem! The Muddler minnow would without doubt be my number one choice. The pattern I tie here is as close to the original as I can get.
Muddler minnow fly pattern
Hook: Mustad R73NP-BR # 10-4
Thread: Dyneema (waxed)
Tail: Mottled turkey
Body: Flat gold tinsel
Rib: Copper wire
Underwing: Grey squirrel tail
Wing: Mottled turkey
Collar/Head: Spun and clipped natural deer hair
Muddler minnow step by step
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How to tie Muddler Minnow
The ultimate guide to deer hair
Frequently Asked Questions
How to fish muddler minnow?
- The muddler minnow is a streamer pattern, originally designed to imitate a bullhead baitfish. The main component is deer hair. Deer hair is highly buoyant and creates a spacial ‘muddler’ action in the water which is a great fish attractor.
What does a muddler minnow imitate?
- The muddler minnow is a streamer pattern, originally designed to imitate a bullhead baitfish. The main component is deer hair. Deer hair is highly buoyant and creates a spacial ‘muddler’ action in the water which is a great fish attractor.
When to fish muddler minnow?
- As bait fish are abundant all year round a Muddler minnow can be fished anytime of the season to great effect.
How to fish a muddler minnow fly?
- There are many ways to fish a Muddler minnow, sunk, dry, deep… But the most common is by using a retrieve that makes it swim like a small fleeing baitfish.
What size muddler minnow?
- As with natural baitfish that are found in all sizes from small to large, the muddler minnow can also be tied and fished very effectively in just about any hook size.
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Agree with that…the Muddler is my choice too for Atlantic salmon, brown and seatrout…I also use many varients from #14 mini Muddllers to #4 longshank as a wake lure.
Love all muddlers .Great for wild brown trout.
Another great tutorial. Thanks.
Nice work. FYI, I am in the throes of finishing a book on Muddler Minnows and some 400 other Muddlerish patterns. It will be published (when?) as MUDDLER MAGIC by Frank Amato Publications. It’s a more ambitious follow-up to my 2005 book on Woolly Worms and Buggers, WOOLLY WISDOM (also published by Amato).
Hi Gary, yeah you contacted me earlier about my deer hair photos with regard to your book but I diden’t here anything back from you! If you do need anything let me know.
Thanks for showing us a great and reliable pattern.
Reblogged this on Gin Clear and commented:
One of my favorite patterns. Great step-by-step tying instructions.
Isn’t that size of head make that fly floating??
Yes of course, but thats the whole point with a muddler. You fish a fly like this with a sink tip or sinking line.
Hi Barry, Perfect and clear photo’s step by step.
Easy to follow and special the difficult points of tying
Hi Henk, Thanks. I hope to see you at one of the shows later in the year.
Cheers
Barry
That is a nice muddler.
i will try to use it when the time is near.
greetings and tight lines