Fishing Muddlers

[overmywaders]

I fish Muddlers (mainly yellow Marabou Muddlers) as a worked dry fly. I use a lot of marabou and trim the dearhair so that it doesn't interfere with the movement of the feathers. Oftentimes, I will get a smashing strike on the first pass of the fly, as it is drifting drag-free with the marabou dry and fluffed out like a feather duster.

I use a 2x-3x long, standard wire, down eye hook (I think it is Tiemco). Because I want the fly to spend most of its time on the surface, I use a tail of deer body hair, flared. This is carried under the tinsel as well. I trim the head in a diver cut. When you give a sudden pull to the fly it dives down about six inches and then pops back to the surface. You have to beat the fish off with a stick. I use a two foot length of alder, peeled.

Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com

[SaltH2oFly]

Ha! Nothing like a good "How To" with a twist of humor on the side. Now that's the type of post I like! Thanks Muddler Man!

[fessiewig]

Thanks for the "peeled alder" tip. I'd been using a piece of drift wood, but they break too easily on the larger fish.

[FishcaneNH]

I once tried a piece of sweet fern stem, but it didn't have enough backbone to turn the line over ;-)

Thanks for the muddler tip- I may try to tie one up later and see what develops.

Dan

[PW]

overmywaders

Could you provide a picture?

Paul-

[overmywaders]

Paul,

I wish I could provide a picture, but all my fly-tying "stuff" and most of my fishing gear is boxed up for a move. The house is sold and we need to get out by 4/25. Hopefully, some time shortly after that I can dig out the gear.

Imagine if you will, a muddler with the tail of a cooper bug and all of the spun dearhair of the head trimmed flat on the bottom. The top of the head slopes up like a diver and most of the long strands of dearhair are cut short. The marabou extends 1/4" past the tail.

fessie,

The alder switch, if light enough and well-balanced, may also be used to determine if there are more fish than you can shake a stick at. I like to have most of the elements of my fishing kit multi-functional, it keeps the weight down.

Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com

[fessiewig]

Reed, we need to go fishin'. I've got a lot to learn from you.

[PW]

Reed,

I think I have a mental picture of it. We'll have to meet up on the Souhegan sometime and I can see one of your mudlers in person.

Paul-

[overmywaders]

fessie,

Yes, I'd like that. Hopefully you know a place that is not crowded or slippery, if not, you bring the cat and the pump handle.

Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com

[overmywaders]

Paul,

You'll have to show me your winning spots on the Souhegan, I have only had good results at the junction of Purgatory Stream and the Souhegan (come to think of it, that was just after a flood at the fish hatchery).

Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com