The Muddler Minnow. The fly that catches anything that swims…
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f I had to choose one fly pattern for fishing both saltwater and fresh water, I’d never hesitate a second before saying Muddler Minnow. I’m sure most will agree that the Muddler Minnow looks like bait, disturbs the water and has proven itself over 40 years. Tied in different colors, on diffferent size hooks, variously weighted (weighted eyes and/or wire on the shank), variations of the Muddler Minnow pattern have caught tarpon, large and smallmouth bass, permit, kingfish, barracuda, tunas, Spanish Mackerel, snook, jack cravelle, redfish, steelhead, salmons and trouts, bluefish, seatrout, ladyfish, albies, stripers and many more.The original pattern is credited to Minnesotan Don Gapen who first tied it in the 1930’s using metal tinsel on the shank, which provided no protection from the small trout teeth. Later, plastic was used to protect the tinsel and then that gave way to cooper wire which is still used today.
Screenshot image from Michael Yelton’s Vimeo. To watch scroll down.
Although the pattern has fallen out of favor with some of the new breed of tyers, several sizes and variations take up plenty of space in my fly boxes. So if you can’t get a bite, try a Muddler.
Here’s pro tyer Michael L. Yelton’s Vimeo on tying the Muddler Minnow. Yelton is the owner and operator of The Granddaddy Fly Fishing Experience in North Carolina’s western mountains.
[vimeo id=”8036487″ width=”620″ height=”360″]