Gartside Pheasant Muddler SBS

All about flies Fly Tying
1

hook - Mustad 79580 #6
thread - UTC 140 olive brown
underbody - non-tox .025
tail - pheasant rump fibers rusty red
body- mylar braid gold
underwing - marabou yellow
wing - pheasant church window dyed brown
collar/head - deer hair dyed brownmarried

Jack gave the Hornberg treatment to a Muddler, swapping mallard out for pheasant and came up with a cool looking fly. I changed a few things from the original - mylar braid instead of tube for the body (much, much easier to work with), and marabou instead of deer hair for the underwing since I’ll fish this one down under. Tie it unweighted with the deer underwing and it can be fished dry/wet, just like a standard Muddler.

Part 1

mash barb, wrap shank with non-tox

start thread, wrap underbody; taper front and back

measure a clump of pheasant rump fibers for length and tie in

tie in mylar braid, wrap to front of underbody and tie off

measure marabou and tie in

2

Part 2

match up a pair of church window feathers and tie in on either side (kinda tentlike)

clean and stack a clump of deer hair (tips extend to hook barb); 2 soft loops, spin it, then pack it back

clean another clump but don’t stack, just trim the tips; loop, spin, pack, half hitch x 2, SHHAN

flip it to the ventral position, use hook eye as gauge for razor blade and push straight back

first cuts; trim head to shape however you see fit (scissors for me)

A little more Sally on the bottom of the head and it’s done

Regards,
Scott

3

Scott,

I have always liked the look of Jack Gartside’s flies. Three came off my bench today and now reside in my streamer box.

Thanks for another great SBS,

Alberto