How to Tie a Conehead Bunny Muddler

Producer: Tim Flagler

The Muddler Minnow has been one of the world’s most popular streamers for almost 90 years. Way back in 2013, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions showed us how to tie Don Gapen’s original, created in 1936 on Ontario’s Nipigon River. There have been many variations tied over the years, incorporating different materials, more weight, and various accessories, such as flash and legs.

In this great video, Tim ties a heavily weighted slinky version of the Muddler, featuring a tungsten cone and plenty of lead-free wire. Here’s what he has to say about it: The Conehead Bunny Muddler is a versatile streamer pattern that has proven itself effective on trout, bass and pike. The rabbit zonker tail and back have a ton of motion while the deer hair collar pushes water and really makes the fly’s presence known.

Conehead Bunny Muddler
Hook: 4X-long streamer hook (here, a Mustad 9672), sizes 2 and 4.
Head: Nickel-color tungsten cone, large.
Weight: Lead-free round wire, .020.
Adhesive #1: Superglue, here Fly Tyers Z-Ment.
Thread: White G.S.P., 130-denier.
Adhesive #2: Superglue, here Fly Tyers Z-Ment.
Flash: Pearl Krystal Flash.
Tail/back: Black Zonked Rabbit strip.
Adhesive #3: Head cement, here Sally Hansen Hard-as-Nails.
Body: Silver Sparkle Braid.
Beard: Red Krystal Flash.
Legs: Black/Red Flake Crazy Legs.
Adhesive #4: Superglue, here Fly Tyers Z-Ment.
Collar: Natural Muddler or deer-body hair, cleaned and stacked.
Adhesive #5: Head cement, here Sally Hansen Hard-as-Nails.
Tools: Double-edge razor blade