How to Tie an All-Species Murdich Minnow Fly in 5 Steps

Select a clump of relatively straight deer-hair fibers from the top half of a bucktail. This clump should be a little less than the width of a pencil. Lash the hair fibers down right at the bend of the hook shank, then add body to the fly by tying down the remaining material along the shank, leaving space near the eye. Return your thread to the tie-in point.

Select your first layer of flash, again taking pains not to overdress the fly. I like to use a subtle pearlescent Flashabou for this step. Cut these fibers to a length just about ¼ inch beyond the tips of the longest bucktail fibers.

Now it’s time for the top layer of flash. This should be something that contrasts subtly—or not so subtly—with the white bucktail and pearl flash below. Speckled silver Flashabou is a classic choice. Trim it to a length just a ¼ inch longer than the first layer of flash. Leave the excess at the other side of the hook uncut and pointing forward.

The most difficult part of making this fly is applying two equal-size clumps of EP Fibers along either side of the hook shank. This gives the fly both profile and bulk that results in an erratic action. Once both clumps are secured, take that excess flash from Step 3, fold it backward over the fiber, and trim.

All that’s left to do is wrap the hook shank with some sort of long-fibered palmering material. Here, it’s white Estaz. Stroke the fibers backward with your left hand as you wrap forward with your right to produce a neat, tight body. Whip finish and you’re done.

Select your first layer of flash, again taking pains not to overdress the fly. I like to use a subtle pearlescent Flashabou for this step. Cut these fibers to a length just about ¼ inch beyond the tips of the longest bucktail fibers.