My First go at a Muddler

[edd7]

Hello people , My first go at a muddler below (and probably my last lol )

Really struggle with the deer hair as no matter how much i put on at the front of the fly i just cant seem to get it correct so any comments and advice always took onboard

Chhers
Ed

[atr]

Nice tail edd.Seriously though,just look up the master on youtube aka Davie McPhail and you'll soon have the knack.
Andy.

[Eddie O'Neill]

I'd be happy with that as a first attempt.

[dabhoy]

I think that looks not bad at all Edd
I would like a better look at the head though but at least you haven't over trimmed it which tends to be a common problem for beginners my self included.

[boobies]

thats lovely!

If I can assist then I would suggest leaving a bit more room for the deer hair.

It's important to 'pack' the deer hair after each spin so as to build up a dense, compact bristle spior to clipping. It's also important to build up a nice smooth thread base prior to spinning. It's easy to do:

After spinning, let your bobbin hang. put your forefinger and thumb of one hand behind the first spin you have tied in and the same with the other hand in front of the bunch. press hard into the thread base so that the flesh of your fingers and thumbs mould around the shank of the hook - then push back the hair with the edge of your nails to compress them as tight as possible. repeat with the next bunch etc until you have reached the eye of the hook.

But seriously - the fly you have tied is really nice

[the stig]

nice tie Edd i,ve seen worse mine included tryed them last year and gave up to frigging hard but it will still catch fish

cheers bert

[troutheaven]

Originally Posted by boobies

It's also important to build up a nice smooth thread base prior to spinning.

Always, repeat ALWAYS, spin deer hair on bare hook shank. I've been spinning deer hair for 30+ years and this is essential.

Grumpius Maximus has spoken.

[Wee Jimmy]

Originally Posted by troutheaven

Always, repeat ALWAYS, spin deer hair on bare hook shank. I've been spinning deer hair for 30+ years and this is essential.

Bollox mate..... Easier to spin on a bare shank granted,certainly not essential though.

[harveyangling]

Originally Posted by troutheaven

Always, repeat ALWAYS, spin deer hair on bare hook shank. I've been spinning deer hair for 30+ years and this is essential.

Grumpius Maximus has spoken.

I never spin it on a bare hook, always get good results.

Simply give it 3 loose turns with the silk, then pull down. This does the job for me.

[wingman]

Very good first attempt Edd at one of the hardest things to do in fly tying (well nearly) at least it looks like a muddler as my first one looked more like a duddler. Never heard of spinning deerhair onto a bare shank as I thought the idea was that the teeth of the thread turns gave a better grip on the deerhair and helped to avoid it slipping although I can see the logic behind it as the deerhair would spin more easily on a bare shank.