Sunday, April 29, 2012

Muddler Minnows and Brook Trout



The Muddler Minnow, a streamer fly created by Don Gapen back in the thirties and pretty much a staple in most anglers fly boxes. This fly is used by myself a few times a year, those times when I fish larger waters where bigger trout will take the fly. On the small streams this streamer always seemed to be out of place.

Last fall I was informed by another angler, "Kirk" that a Muddler was very effective in a small stream. The wild brookies went crazy for it. Well it was a few days ago when I visited a special stream and I had in my mind to fish a Muddler. I have several and in sizes 6 to 12. I don't tie them, because I never got the hang of working with deer hair. I tied on a size 12 and I realized one of the better days of angling for wild trout. The brookies for some reason found the fly to much to resist. They hit it in every way it was presented.

The saying that you learn something new every day. That applies here on the small streams of Connecticut.

This particular day was a crisp one for this time of year. Overnight temps were in the low forties. The stream was clear and water temps at an even fifty.


Who knows what lurks in these plunge pools and behind those boulders....The Muddler does.


A brook trout and the Muddler that fooled him. These fish were absolutely beautiful. They seemed to have retained their color and spotting. Maybe it's the cold clean water they live in.


True beauty in a tiny form. You don't have to catch a fish to enjoy your outing. Just look around.



There's not much I can say about this photo.


The laurel and moss covered stones of this stream will protect fontinalis naturally. We have to do our part also.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE










24 comments:

  1. beautiful colors in those brookies!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice job Alan. Beautiful trout.
    I'll be headed out to my childhood stream later today in search of wild browns.
    Lots of fond memories will be relived for sure.
    Enjoy spring amigo.
    John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apache Trout,
      Thanks.
      I know you'll have a wonderful time.
      Got to hit a small stream together.

      Delete
  3. A Muddler is my son-in-law's go-to bait when we are trolling. He tips the hook with a piece of night crawler, puts just enough weight on up the line to keep it in about the top 3' of water with about 100'of line out. It is a very versatile fly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WD5TK3,
      Thanks.
      It's one those flies that can produce, at any time.

      Delete
  4. An excellent pattern and some great trout to boot.

    I have yet to attempt to tie anything with packed deer hair yet. For me these will be a likely purchase.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blake Hamilton,
      Thanks.
      That stuff is tough to work with. I buy mine also.

      Delete
  5. Awesome pictures and the water looks like a slice of heaven. Great looking Brookies too. Those flies look like a must for the streams around here. Thanks for sharing. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trout MaGee,
      Thanks.
      That fly was created in your home state.
      It should be a killer there.

      Delete
  6. I have several in my fly box, but for some reason, never used them. I'll have to make a point of trying them this year.

    Mark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shoreman,
      Thanks.
      I'm sure you'll like the results.

      Delete
  7. Brk
    I think I have told you this before but it is worth me mentioning again, I would love to live there where you live. I think that area is one of the most beautiful places in the Northeast. I really enjoy your post not only for the brook trout but for the beauty of the places you fish. Great Post!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      Connecticut does have some fine streams, some are easy to find, some require a little walk. But worth the effort.

      Delete
  8. As always, your pictures are superb. I don't know what I'd do without the muddler. The strikes it provokes can be incredible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RKM,
      Thanks.
      They do hit that fly with authority.

      Delete
  9. Love the muddler but it's been a while since I've fished one. Thanks for reminding me to pull one out soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      It's been a long time for me. I carry one or two, but I never used them on small streams. That's changed.

      Delete
  10. Love those Muddlers! Thanks as always for such gorgeous photos of your Brookies. Yes, what can you say about that second photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Yaussy Albright,
      Thanks.
      I take it you fish this fly with some regularity.

      Delete
  11. Brk Trt the pics are gorgeous, like beautiful artwork!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trout1,
      Thanks.
      Pete your comments are appreciated.

      Delete
  12. A lot of the deer hair slat water flies i fish are mudler take-offs. I can't say that i have taken trout on mudlers, but i have caught several striped bass on snake flies and sliders.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Savage,
      Thanks.
      Deer hair is very useful in many flies. To bad it's so tough to work with, at least for me that is.

      Delete