How to tie the Muddled Daddy

Time Well Spent April 19, 2023

This fly will catch brown and rainbow trout, and even salmon and sea-trout. The head of soft and buoyant deer hair ensures the fly sits right in the surface, and also creates a fish-attracting wake when retrieved.

Material list for the Muddled Daddy

Hook: Size 10-12 nymph hook

Thread: Brown

Rib: Fine gold wire

Body: Hare or fox squirrel fur and gold Lite-Brite

Legs: Knotted cock pheasant tail fibres

Head: Spun and clipped roe deer body hair

Step 1. Run the tying thread on at the eye, carrying it down to the bend in close turns. At the bend catch in a length of fine gold wire.

Step 2. Secure the waste end of wire along the shank then dub a pinch of fur on to the thread. Wind the fur along the shank in touching turns.

Step 3. Apply the dubbed fur until it has covered three-quarters of the shank and formed a slim body. Wind on evenly spaced turns of gold wire.

Step 4. Secure the end of the wire then add three legs of knotted pheasant tail to each side of the body. Trim off the waste ends of pheasant tail.

Step 5. Select a pinch of roe deer hair, removing any fluff or damaged fibres. With the tips projecting over the body apply loose thread turns.

Step 6. Gently pull the thread tight. This will cause the hair to flare and spin around the shank. Use fingers to help it around the shank if necessary.

Step 7. Work the thread through the hair so that it is locked securely to the shank. When the thread has reached the eye, draw the hair back.

Step 8. Cast off the thread with a whip finish. Using small, precise cuts, trim the hair around the head to create a rounded shape.

Step 9. Keep snipping until all of the grey hair has been trimmed to shape, leaving only the brown tips to form a collar projecting over the body.