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muddler

1 9.4

A type of fishing fly with a head of deer hair that looks like a small fish

noun
/ˈmʌd.lər/

Jargon

: mosca Muddler

The muddler pattern is particularly effective in streams where sculpins are abundant.
muddler minnow
Marabou Muddlers
Muddler fan for trout

Examples

Since turning fly fisher, I've run through a whole parade of favorite flies: Muddlers, Honey Blondes, Brown Bivisible, Gray Fox Variants, Royal Wulffs.

Fiction book (1991)
Experienced anglers often use a muddler to imitate the movement of small fish when fly fishing.
For the best results, tie your own muddler with high-quality deer hair to achieve a realistic look.

Synonyms

fly

vsmuddler

Specialized

55 7.9

A small artificial insect used to catch fish

imitates small fish rather than resembling insects

streamer fly

vsmuddler

Jargon

8.9

A fishing lure with long wings that extend past the hook to look like a small fish

uses a spun deer hair head instead of rear wings for fish imitation

Surface Forms

muddler singular

muddlers plural

Morphology

muddler = muddle (opaque) = muddle + er

Although morphologically 'muddle' + '-er', the sense refers to a specific named fishing fly; the specialized name cannot be reliably derived by an average learner from the verb alone.

Etymology

The word muddler for the fishing fly also comes from muddle meaning 'to make rough or muddy'. One story says the fly's rough, hairy head makes a little splash and looks like a small, wounded fish in the water, which is why a muddler can attract trout.