The classic Muddler Minnow, a timeless fly pattern that is very effective for imitating small baitfish in rivers or lakes. The Muddler Minnow should be fished with a quick strip retrieve to imitate a spooked, darting minnow. The Muddler Minnow is a great pattern just about anywhere but is especially fished in the Northwest as a sea-run cutthroat fly in rivers where the cutthroat return to spawn in summer and fall.