How to tie a Hill Loch Muddler by Davie McPhail

The original Muddler flies designed by Don Grapen have spawned 100s of variants that all share the clipped deer hair head and they catch fish all around the world. The head is tied with natural deer hair and then clipped into shape. The deer hair is hollow and the trapped air makes it buoyant. As Davie explains in his video, this Hill Loch Muddler is designed to be pulled through the waves and is usually fished as the top dropper in a team of flies.

All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie the Hill Loch Muddler, with the guidance of Davie McPhail.




Materials Used:

Hook: Fulling Mill Short Shank Special size 10 Thread: Uni-8/0 Rusty Dun Body: FNF Fry Gold Lite-Brite Dubbing Wing: Hen Pheasant Quill Hackle: Natural Brown Cock Collar and Head: Roe Deer Hair

Additional materials: Additionally, Davie made use of Varnish, which he applied to the thread after completing the fly.

Davie's preferred type of whip finish tool can be found HERE!