Troutbum11 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2017 Thought I would tie the classic muddler this week. Check out how I use a lighter to shape the deer hair head. Works great!! Enjoy and thanks for watching! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GP flyfisherman 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2017 Great video! Love that fly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave G. 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2017 Cool ! Do you use matched turkey pairs for the wing and tail ? I tie a variation of the Muddler with yellow under wing, works great in hopper season in Maine. It can be done with dyed squirrel tail but I use calves tail. During the main season up there I use red squirrel or so call "fox squirrel" natural fibers for the underwing. Back here on the cape gray squirrel works, like you have for the under wing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troutbum11 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2017 Thanks Dave! I know your suppose to use matched pairs for the wing. I used to but, I always struggled with matched wings. Started just using a single wing and the fish don't seem to mind, haha. I should probably try matched wings again (been a few years) in an effort to tie the pattern properly. But like I said, they fish well and when it comes down to it thats what really matters if you ask me! Your color variations sound pretty interesting! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicrider 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2017 Troutbum, I guess I'm of the school of respecting the pioneers who originate a design that stays in style long past it's conception. Though there are many variations of the Muddler today, some that have lost any lineage to the original, your video was of your version of the original. Now I believe it would catch just as many fish and float and drift just as well with the single tail and wing, that is not the original style. I just think you should mention that in your video that you are deviating from Gapen's original with that step. Otherwise a great video and can help a lot of people tying a very fishable Muddler. I also use a lighter a lot on the heads of my ties but mostly for cleaning fuzz from the eye. I'm afraid if I tried you step I'd end up needing a fire extinguisher. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troutbum11 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2017 Thanks for the input, Vicrider. I'll be sure to put that correction in the description box of the video. You are correct, no doubt. I guess I'm so used to tying them with a single wing that I didn't think of mentioning it until the video was uploaded and Dave pointed it out. I appreciated it though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites