Muddler Minnow

Materials

How to Tie the Muddler Minnow

1. 1

   Step 1

   Secure the streamer hook. Start 6/0 thread at the bend.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Tie in a matched pair of mottled turkey quill slips at the bend as a tail.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Tie in gold flat tinsel at the tail base and wrap forward to the 2/3 mark for the body.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Tie in a small clump of gray squirrel tail as an underwing on top of the shank.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Tie in matched turkey quill slips on each side of the shank as wings, extending past the tail.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Switch to heavy 3/0 thread. Cut a small clump of deer body hair.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Spin the deer hair around the shank: hold hair on top, make 2 loose wraps, then pull tight so the hair flares and spins around the hook. Pack it tight.

   This is the hardest step. Use a hair packer to push the hair back tightly after each clump. It takes 3-5 clumps to fill the head.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Repeat with additional clumps of deer hair, packing each tightly against the previous one.

9. 9

   Step 9

   Whip finish at the eye. Remove from vise.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Trim the deer hair head to shape with sharp scissors or a razor blade: flat bottom, rounded top, wider than tall.

    The classic Muddler head shape is like a bullet — round on top with a flat bottom. Leave the collar fibers untrimmed sweeping back along the body.