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Patterns

Rolled Muddler

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I met the Rolled Muddler in BC while fishing for Pacific salmon

By Martin Joergensen

The Rolled Muddler is originally from British Columbia and a fly that was designed by Tom Murray and is sometimes referred to as Murray's Rolled Muddler. The fly was originally meant for fishing for cutthroats along saltwater beaches and in the estuaries. In other words a BC coastal fly!

In BC it's also popular for stream and river fishing for Pacific salmon, mainly coho, and I met it (and fished it) for the first time back in 2004 and have personally caught a couple of species of Canadian salmon on this pattern. I met it first when fishing with BC guide Erik Skaaning, who handed me this pattern when we were fishing for coho in a quiet backwater to the Harrison, a short but beautiful tributary to the Fraser. We had a very fun afternoon with medium size coho that were slowly milling around in this clear and almost still part of the river. Amongst the successful flies was the Rolled Muddler.
During my latest trip to BC and the Vancouver area, I also fished the Rolled Muddler for coho, and although it did catch more pinks than cohos, it certainly worked.



There are several variations of this fly to be found. The one major variation is whether or not the fly is tied with a bead. Another variation is of course the color, which varies a lot. The fly can be found in natural colors as well as dull blue and olive and even in bright yellow, chartreuse or orange. Some are also tied so fat and bulky that they remind me more of a standard Muddler Minnow. The Rolled Muddler should be tied as a slim and lightly dressed fly. That seems to be the general conception, and the one I adhere to.
I have fished and will tie the natural one with a bead. That's what I have had success with, and what I prefer.
As you can see on the image to the right, I usually tie my muddlers quite fat. Not so the Rolled Muddler! The Rolled Muddler is a slender fly with a fairly skinny wing and a small and streamlined head. My muddlers also float or fish in the surface. The Rolled Muddler sinks and jigs on the retrieve.

Given my well documented muddler mania, I'd love to add yet another muddler to my box, and this one has everything I like: very fish-like, simple and it even has a bead for weight - love at first sight. It's time to introduce the Rolled Muddler to the Danish seatrout.

This one has everything I like: very fish-like, simple and it even has a bead for weight - love at first sight

Tying instructions

Rolled Muddler

Type	Wet fly
Originator	Tom Murray
Difficulty	Medium
Target species	Brook trout Brown trout Pacific salmon (sea run) Perch Rainbow trout (landlocked) Sea trout (sea run)

Materials

Hook	Long shank straight eye streamer, size 4-6 (like Kamasan B820)
Bead	Brass, to fit hook (3-4 mm)
Thread	Tan 8/0
Tail	Teal or mallard
Body	Flat gold tinsel, 4 straws of gold flash or gold braid
Wing	Teal or mallard
Collar and head	Natural deer hair