Southern Oregon Fly Tyers
Meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2019
6:00 PM
8401 Old Stage Road, Gold Hill
JOHN MATTHEWS DEMONSTRATES THE MUDDLER MINNOW
John is not online to produce announcements about the demonstrations, so, you are stuck with reading Ed’s wanderings again. But if you were present for the evening of his tying the Sofa Pillow and Stimulator, you know to expect some good information about tying the Muddler with different types of material.
The Muddler was developed by Don Gapin in the 1950s up in the Great Lakes area to catch Brookies, but it has become popular all over. Of course, it is tied to simulate, or give the impression of a Sculpin fish, which is a bottom dweller in many waters in the northern hemisphere, both in streams and lakes. I believe this explains one reason for its effectiveness. I have found it to be a go to fly during spring run-off in mountain streams. I have gone to the stream when it is quite stained to muddy, thinking fishing to be unproductive, but put on a weighted Muddler, fished it near the bottom, and caught Rainbows and Browns. I think they were happy to see a nice bite of meat after the long winter.
As stated above, if you have seen John tie before, you know that he covers matters of tying and also of fishing the flies, as he has a lot of experience with both activities. If you have not seen his demonstrating, I urge you not to miss this month’s meeting.
Don’t forget to look through your materials to pull out and donate those you will probably never use again. We need them for the raffle, someone will have a use for them. Also, while you are doing that, pull out a couple of flies to go into the box of flies being raffled. I feel a little hypocritical here, as I forgot mine last month. I excuse myself by pointing to my many responsibilities! To keep yourself from feeling guilty, get them ready early! Seriously, when everyone pitches in to this totally volunteer effort, the more fun it is for all. Isn’t Tom doing a great job with the raffle?!!!! I am going to look through my materials and also get my two flies right now.
TECH TABLE - WHAT TO DO WITH A PHEASANT SKIN
There's probably not a bird that flies that has more uses for the fly tier than the Ringneck Pheasant. From the top of its head to the tip of its tail, there's hardly a feather on a pheasant that can't be used to some good purpose. Whether it's hackle you need or tailing fibers, winging material or body material, shoulders or cheeks, whatever, it's all there. One cock pheasant of just average size will provide the resourceful fly tier with enough material to tie thousands of flies.
