Clifford J. Carstens Flies

Bead Head Rolled Muddler

Bead Head Rolled Muddler was tied by Salmonfly.Net Contributing Fly Tyer Clifford J. Carstens. You can see more of Cliff's flies at The Flies of Cliff Carstens.

Cliff's Notes: "When using mirage tinsel for the body, tie a full under body of red thread and only wrap a single layer of tinsel from tail to head. This will allow the mirage tinsel to change color when viewed from different angles. Wire rib is counter wound to protect and strengthen the tinsel body and the deer hair head is trimmed to the same diameter as the bead. A small bunch is placed on top of the fly so that the tips extend back to the end of the wings. A couple of turns of thread are used to spin the hair and then the thread is wound forward through the hair butts to lock them down. Before trimming the deer hair, pull the butts back and out of the way and whip finish behind the bead. Cut the backwards pointing tips away on the bottom side of the fly and trim the top side to a sparse overwing. Expose the thread wraps binding down the wings at the bottom side as this will simulate gills. Trim the butts to the same diameter as the bead, thus forming the head.

There are many variations of this fly. Some are tied with gold or mirage bodies. Others use U/V flashabou in the wing and yet others use dyed mallard and deer hair. The idea is to try to imitate natural bait fish. So the color schemes are up to the tier. The original pattern doesn't have a bead and uses no flashabou. Also, when trimming the deer hair on the underside of the head, make sure to expose some of the thread wraps as this will simulate gills.

The rolled muddler is a very effective fly when fished in slower water. Fish it with short varied strips, but keep it moving. Coho seem to loose interest as soon as the fly stops. I myself will fish it on a sink-tip line in more colored water, but will use a clear mono-core line in clearer water. The trick is to get it down to where the fish are. They get territorial and aggressive when they get in the river. Having said that, however, there are days when the fish get lock-jaw and getting them to strike can be quite a task. Get the fly in their face and make them MAD."