Bodkin / Patterns

Kinky Muddler

Baitfish · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Jack · Tarpon · Snook · Redfish · False Albacore · Roosterfish · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook saltwater (Daiichi or Mustad sea hook), 1/0-3/0
  • Thread clear mono thread

Materials

  • Tail Craft fur, white and brown (or colors to match bait) (2 clumps)
  • Flash Angel Hair or Flashabou (few strands)
  • Body/head SF Blend (Slinky Fibre + Angel Hair), white belly, brown back (several clumps)
  • Eyes Holographic adhesive eyes (2)
  • Adhesive Epoxy or UV resin over eyes (small amount)

How to tie it

  1. Start mono thread mid-shank and tie in a tail of white craft fur about two shank lengths long, with brown craft fur over the top and a few strands of flash between.
  2. Move forward a quarter shank and tie in the first clump of SF Blend using the hollow-tie method: tie the fibers in pointing forward over the eye, then fold them back around the shank and lock with thread wraps so they flare into a cone. This builds a big head with almost no weight.
  3. Repeat with 2-3 more stations of reverse-tied SF Blend, white on the bottom, brown on top, each clump flared and swept back so the head builds a wide muddler-style profile.
  4. At the eye, take the final and fullest clump, fold it back, and build a neat thread head. Whip finish the mono.
  5. Trim the flared fibers to a blunt, boxy muddler head shape. The broad head pushes water so fish can track the fly in low light or murky water.
  6. Stick a holographic eye on each side of the head and coat with a thin layer of epoxy or UV resin to lock them in.

Tying videos

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