Steelhead Muddler

The Muddler Minnow is one of the most popular fly patterns in the world. According to Joseph D. Bates, in his classic book Streamers & Bucktails, the Muddler Minnow fly was invented by commercial fly tier Don Gapen in about 1950 to catch Brook Trout from the Nipigon River, Ontario, CA. Since then the "Muddler" has been copied by nearly every

fly tier and used to catch nearly every specie of fresh water game fish that will eat a fly. The Muddler was originally tied to represent the cockatush minnow a type of Sculpin prevalent in the Nipigon watershed. The Muddler became popular in Montana and Alaska as "the" sculpin pattern, but in the Rocky Mountain states it was also widely used as floating grass hopper pattern.
It was only natural that Muddlers would also become a popular steelhead flies. Pioneer work by such angling legends as Bill McMillan and Bob Grew brought the Muddler to the attention of west coast anglers. Now "Steelhead Muddlers" have evolved into many forms, but are most often fished in the surface film with a floating fly line and long leader. As such they kind of fit into the waking fly catagory. However, Muddlers really aren't waking flies in the truest sense, because they tend to duck in and out of the surface film. This up and down bobbing and weaving action can be a turn-on for steelhead that are hesitant to hit any other type of fly. Muddlers are also fished subsurface with sinking tip lines. When the fly is submerged under tension it is often enveloped in a a large shimmering bubble of air that was pulled under underwater by the large bushy head. The Steelhead Muddler in a variety of colors is a very important fly type to have with you when fishing fall steelhead east or west of the Cascades.

Muddler Minnow A pattern that is deadly all over the world for many species of game fish. This gold-bodied version is a favorite in clear water and is the original version. Not well known as a steelhead fly, it is never the less very productive. Ours are tied with very large heads so they buck a lot of water and entice fish that won't move for anything else.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
2100A-04	Muddler Minnow	4	3 for $5.95
2100A-06	Muddler Minnow	6	3 for $5.95
2100A-08	Muddler Minnow	8	3 for $5.95
2100A-10	Muddler Minnow	10	3 for $5.95

Buddler
Hook: TMC 5263, #6
Thread: Black 3/0 Uni
Tag: none
Butt: none
Body: Purple Poly Flash
Rib: none
Hackle: none
Wing: 1/4 Red Marabou, 3/4 Black Marabou
Head: Spun black Deer Hair
Common Sizes: This fly is most often used in size six in rivers like The Deschutes & John Day, Grand Rhonde. This little fly was first tied by Carl Perry in about 1980 and

became the "go-to" fly for dour mid-season fish on the Deschutes River. Originally Carl tied the wing with fur from his Black Labrador, Buddy. Buddy + Muddler = Buddler. The original under-wing was dyed red squirrel tail. We found that marabou works well for both wings. It is tied on a 2X long hook and is very delicate. The Buddler is very effective when fished broad side in the film; grease line style.

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Steelhead Muddler, Green This is a great spring and summer fly for all of the lower Columbia River tributaries. It has been particularly successful on the Kalama, Washougal and Sandy Rivers.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21090-04	Steelhead Muddler, Green	4	3 for $5.95

Steelhead Muddler, Purple Purple is possibly the most popular Muddler color over all. It is particularly productive for rivers east of the Cascade Mountains.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21095-04	Steelhead Muddler, Purple	4	3 for $5.95

Steelhead Muddler, Red This is s sleeper winter and spring pattern.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21099-04	Steelhead Muddler, Red	4	3 for $5.95