Tying Tuesday: The Muddler Minnow, Claw Armed Critter, Pheasant Tail Nymph, and the Holographic Wet Fly

A couple of time-tested classics share the week with a flats fly and a hard-to-find wet pattern. First up is a Muddler Minnow from The Fly Smith (tiesflies), the deer-hair-headed classic that reads as a sculpin or small baitfish. Next is the Jigged Low Tide Pheasant Tail from Caddis Fly Angling Shop, built for the dog days of summer, when trout turn picky. From there the vise heads to the flats with the Claw Armed Critter from Tailwater Fly Shop — a proven bonefish pattern rebuilt at the request of Caribbean charter captains on a heavier hook with a Flats Craft claw, where claw placement and orientation control how the fly falls and tracks. Closing the week is the Holographic Wet Fly from Brian Flechsig at Mad River Outfitters, a rare, well-loved pattern fish just want to eat.

The Muddler Minnow

Materials List
Hook: Fulling Mill 2225 – Size 8
Thread: TheFlySmith 12/0– Traditional Khaki
Head Thread: TheFlySmith 52D GSP – Champagne
Hair: Deer Body
Body: Golden tinsel
Rib: Small wire
Wings: Mottled ozark turkey
Underwing: Squirrel tail
Tools: TheFlySmith

Jigged Low Tide Pheasant Tail Nymph 

Materials List
Hook: Ahrex CZ Mini Jig Barbless FW555: Size 14, 16*, 18
Bead: Fulling Mill Copper Slotted Tungsten Bead: 1/8 or 3.2mm
Thread: Fulling Mill Black Pro Flat Thread: 70 Denier
Tail: Hareline Pheasant Tail
Abdomen: Hareline Pheasant Tail, Hareline/ Hedron Flashabou: Purple, Uni Small Soft Wire: Copper
Thorax: Fulling Mill Tactical Microflash: UV Olive
Wing Case: Hareline Cinnamon Tip Turkey
Collar: Fulling Mill CDC: Black
UV Resin: Solarez: Bone Dry
UV Torch: Loon Plasma Light
Bobbin: Stonfo Steeltech Bobbin
Vise: Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base

Claw Armed Critter with Flats Craft claw

Materials List
Hook: Umpqua Tiemco TMC 800S
Eyes: Wapsi Plain Presentation Lead Eyes
Claw: Flats Craft – Natural
Collar: Hareline Dubbin Magnum Rabbit Strip – Natural
Body: EP Wooly Critter Brush – Tan
Weed guard: Mason Hard Type Nylon 10yds – 16 lbs

Holographic Wet Fly

Materials List
Hook: Tiemco 2302 Fly Hooks
Thread: Ultra Thread 140 – Fire Orange
Body: Holographic Tinsel – Gold
Marabou: Marabou – Wooly Bugger, Yellow
Dubbing: Hare’s Ear Plus Dubbing – Brown
Feather: Brahma Hen Saddle OR Partridge
Head Cement: Wapsi Fly Head Cement- Thinner