Bodkin / Patterns

RIO's King Kinky Muddler Popper

Topwater · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Jack · Tarpon · Snook · Redfish · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater short-shank (Ahrex SA270 / Owner Aki), 1/0-3/0
  • Thread Clear mono Medium mono

Materials

  • Bucktail White bucktail (1 clump (tail base))
  • Strung saddle hackle White plus color back (3 pairs)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (few strands)
  • SF Blend (Steve Farrar) Belly/back colors (several pinches)
  • Closed-cell foam popper head/cylinder To match closed cell foam cylinder (1)
  • 3D holographic eyes Pearl flashabou (1 pair)
  • UV resin / adhesive Clear uv resin (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Start mono thread near the bend and tie in a sparse clump of white bucktail about 1.5 shanks long.
  2. Tent three pairs of saddle hackles over the bucktail (white low, darker on top) tips forming an inverted V for the baitfish back.
  3. Add a strand or two of pearl flash down each side.
  4. Build a short SF Blend body on the mid-shank, light underneath and dark on top, then comb it back so it blends into the hackle.
  5. Slot a closed-cell foam popper head over the front of the shank, seat it against the body, and glue it in place so its cupped face sits behind the eye. The concave face is what pushes water and pops.
  6. Whip finish the thread behind the foam, coat the wraps, and glue a 3D eye to each side of the head.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns