Please apparaise my muddler lads!

[North Country Angler]

Evening all.

Following my - partial - conversion to the dark side this season (stillwater wet fly fishing), I've resolved to try to get a grip of muddlering this winter. I don't mind admitting that this is proving a bit of a culture shock - I've spent my fly tying career so far trying to prevent deer hair from spinning....and now here I am yarking on my thread like there's no tomorrow.

So I offer you one of my efforts for constructive criticism. Its the 4th one I've tied. The first couple accounted for a trio of Malham fish on the penultimate day of the season, but that's not the point - they were shoddy tyings and I'm looking to get things right. This I feel is slightly better, but can tell there's something not quite right. I know there are a few of you out there who tie stupendously good muddlers, so come on and give me a few pointers.

Cheers,
Matt

[Mrtrout]

I remember those penultimate fish Matt, surprised you want to change the fly at all.
Nice tyings mate, well done.
S.

[North Country Angler]

Originally Posted by mrtrout

I remember those penultimate fish Matt, surprised you want to change the fly at all.
Nice tyings mate, well done.
S.

Shouldn't you be on holiday? I have to let you know I'll only be paying your neighbour a visit when I don't need an ark to get there.....

M

[gemmels bay]

nice flee.

[oldbull]

Evening N.A.C.

Must say I like the pattern a lot.

If I were tying it for myself then I'd have tied the in first bundle of deer hair with the fine tips at the rear and when trimming the head I'd have left some of them as a 'hackle'. I'd also pack the deer hair much tighter than you have, using my thumb nail or a tool to compact the hair back along the shank.

My muddler head wouldn't be as tapered as yours, as I think a chunky head creates more turbulence than a taper - but it depends on what you’re trying to achieve. I always say that there are no right or wrong ways in fly tying; it's what your experience tells you is best and what you're confident with.

OB

[troutfisher]

Kinda like a dabbler with a muddler head. Looks very fishy. I,d tidy the head up a wee bit more, but you might spoil it. If its working for YOU the way it is, then dont try and fix what aint broke.

[AndrewMWalker]

Nice fly, the muddler head should make it fizz in the water.... looks ok to me.

A

[Kingfisher28]

Will catch fish, no problems. Well done nice colour combo.

kf28

[Scratch]

Nice work for a river Nancy Basically a 'Dabbler Muddler', and a cracking tie mate. If I was to look hard and nit-pick, I'd say the proportions on the head, relative to the rest of the fly, to be ever so slightly on the large side, not by much at all though. I doubt if it'll make a jot of difference to the fish, but just something to bear in mind. Look mate, you can obviously spin the stuff now and get it to stay on the hook, that's the main job. Trimming and sizing, as you want it will soon follow. I love the style of that head, and the density of it. It'll be nailing afew for ye next season Matt.

[Mrtrout]

Originally Posted by North Country Angler

Shouldn't you be on holiday? I have to let you know I'll only be paying your neighbour a visit when I don't need an ark to get there.....

M

I am off in 5 hours, night flight.
Good forecast here next week, so get your ar5e up here.
S.