Mick’s Scruffy Variant
Mick’s Scruffy Variant, featured in “Australia’s Best Trout Flies Revisited,” is a modern adaptation of Mick Hall’s original Scruffy pattern, tied by Paul “the Fed” Fedeles. Mick Hall’s Scruffy fly is a popular and highly effective trout pattern known for its rough, lifelike appearance. Its unique blend of materials and buggy profile mimics natural aquatic insects, making it an excellent choice for both still and flowing water conditions.
Paul has crafted two unique variants of this fly—one tied on standard hooks and another using swimming nymph hooks to create more lifelike movement in the water. This attention to detail makes the Scruffy Variant a versatile option for various fishing environments.
According to Mick Hall, this fly is highly adaptable and can be fished in multiple ways. “It can be fished static under an indicator or with a slow retrieve and works as well in flowing water as it does in still water,” says Hall. This versatility, combined with Paul’s subtle adjustments, makes Mick’s Scruffy Variant a go-to fly for many trout anglers. Whether drifting in a river or suspended in a lake, this pattern mimics aquatic insects in a highly realistic manner, increasing your chances of success on the water.
Materials
- Hooks:2x nymph size 14 – Swimming nymph size 10 & 12.
- Thread:Black.
- Bead:Glass Bead Chartreuse #26.
Double beads on the swimming nymph hooks. - Tail:Black Squirrel or Make-up Brush fibres
- Body:Blended dark olive and Black rabbit fur.
Tying Instructions – Standard Nymph Hooks
- Put the bead on the hook
- Cover the hook with thread.
- Cut the make-up brush fibres the length of the hook.
- Tie the fibres in at the midpoint.
- Touch dub the body material to the thread.
- Wrap a loose body to the bead.
- Whip finish and rough up the body.
Tying Instructions – Swimming Nymph Hook
- Put the beads on the hook.
- Cover hook with thread
- Tie in the Squirrel tail two thirds length of hook.
- Use a dubbing loop.
- Dub a loose but tapered body.
- Whip finish and rough up the body.
