The Classics: Muddler Minnow
While fishing the Nipigon River in NW Ontario Don Gapen watched as small group of Indian guides caught small cockatush minnows. The Indians used these fish, also called muddlers, as dead baits for the large brook trout that lived in the river. Taking one of these small fish as an example, he tied some rough examples of what was to become the Muddler Minnow. The next day he caught 6 brookies weighing between 5 and 8 pounds.
A truly versatile pattern, muddlers have been used in various styles to catch; brookies, brownies, rainbows, sea trout catfish, bass etc. In fact I would hazard a guess that there is not a freshwater predatory fish that it won’t catch. First publicised in “The Practical Fly Fisherman,” in 1953, it was introduced to Britain in the 60’s by Tom Saville. The style of the head sets the fly apart from other lures. During research I have come across a reference to a similar pattern using this style. In Victorian times a German immigrant, Ludwig Moedler, is credited with spinning deer hair around a hook and trimming it to a circular shape. I will leave you to decide who came up with the idea first.
Muddler minnow
• Hook 3x longshank 1-12
• Thread Brown
• Tail Mottled turkey wing slips
• Body flat gold tinsel
• Rib none.
• Under wing Grey squirrel tail
• Wing Mottled turkey wing slips
• Collar tips of deer hair
• Head spun and clipped deer hair
The original head was tied loose and ragged.
Many patterns can benefit from being “muddled” and I have seen some great examples on here, so please let’s see your favourites.
The Classics: Muddler Minnow.
Just wait till Mr Mcadam opens his muddler suitcase
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