


February 11, 2010
Fly Fishing Stuff That Works: Mojo Mud Fishing Putty Soft Weights
By Kirk Deeter
We're going to launch a regular feature on Fly Talk, called "Stuff That Works." I'm stealing that title from my favorite Guy Clark Song ("Stuff that works... stuff that holds up... the kind of stuff you don't hang on the wall...").
Truth be told, when I do product reviews in the magazine, an important focus is often on high-tech, new and improved. That's great, but it seems to me, in fly fishing, it's also important to zero in on things that might not be quite so flashy, but are functional and stand the test of time. These are the things I wear and use; things that ride around in my truck with me. From the old "retro" vest that I get teased about (but has been fished from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego), to the sunblock I wear, I've learned through trial and (much) error that there are certain simple products that will not break your heart.

So let's start with this fishing putty called "Mojo Mud," a tungsten- based soft weight that my buddy John Perizzolo literally cooked up in his back yard. Odds are you haven't heard of it yet, but it's catching on, especially among guides in Colorado who make their bread and butter nymph fishing, and understand that slight weight adjustments are the trick to catching more trout.
I was a fan of the old "Shape-Weight" years ago, but most other soft weights I've fished aren't all that effective. Either they're too brittle to mold over a knot, or too malleable to hold form once they get dunked in water. Mojo Mud is the perfect consistency in this regard. It shapes and sets up well.
Three other things I like about fishing Mojo Mud: 1.) It's tungsten- based, not lead-based, so not only is it environmentally friendly, it sinks faster and more consistently (a little dab will do ya); 2) When I nymph fish, I drag bottom and lighten up from there. That means I hang up in the rocks a lot (usually with the weight)... the soft weight gives a bit and changes form with gentle tugs, so I save flies I might otherwise break off when hung up on split shot; 3) Most importantly, weight adjustments are key to my nymphing strategy (I'll change weight 3-5 times before I even consider switching bugs), and the Mud allows me to pinch some off (and save it), or mold a little more on in seconds, without fumbling with split shot or hemostats.
Fishing soft weight on a nymph rig takes some getting used to. I didn't like it for a long time, but eventually the advantages became clear.
If you want to give Mojo Mud a try, your local fly shop might not carry it (they should). You can order it online for $10 at bluequillangler.com. It's available in brown or gray.
Deeter
Comments (25)
Great I'll give it a try..Anyone that has used soft weight has had the same issues and for the same reasons as you I still use it. What I really hate is when you get the right amount of weight on and after reeling in a fish the weight is gone and I have to start over....Will definately get some of the Mojo Mud.....What do you think about the "thing-a-ma-bob" Ark Anglers gave me one to try out a few weeks ago..I liked it..saw a few guys on the stream using them
im not a huge fan of the mojo mud. i find in warmer temperatures the stuff likes to fly of every other cast. maybe if it was just a little more elastic like the orvis putty i would like it
Hello Jerry K.
MojoMud is designed to work in water temps that trout prefer, 33 to 65 degrees F, so it needs to be pliable when it is cold out. If you use a small split shot (4 or 6) above your leader/tippet junction, and mold the Mud around it, that gives it something to anchor to. Then just dip the MojoMud in the cold water so it can set up before you cast. That should end your problems with it coming off.
Biggest problem with another product I have tried is that in warm weather it gets too soft and messy and sticks more to my fingers and vest than the line - I have to remember to hold the container in the stream before opening it. Hopefully, this will work better in warmer weather.
It's the little things like this that can save the day. Thanks for the advice Deeter and thanks for the tip troutguy2.
It's eco friendly, compact and can be molded into an infinite amount of sizes. I'm sold and I'm hard to please.
Oh, yeah .. can also just mold weights over or next to the tippet to leader knot.
i did mold it over a split shot or a blood knot and i do let it harden in the cold water, maybe it was just a bad batch. i did like how it wasnt messy,didnt get stuck or leave residue on anything it touched, and how you dont loose half of the product on the bottom of the container like loons putty.
i did mold it over a split shot or a blood knot and i do let it harden in the cold water, maybe it was just a bad batch. i did like how it wasnt messy,didnt get stuck or leave residue on anything it touched, and how you dont loose half of the product on the bottom of the container like loons putty.
Really liked your comment about changing weight 3-5 times before changing the fly.
I cannot imagine nymph fishing without Mojo Mud. As a professional guide, Mojo
Mud allows me to micro manage my nymphing rig to keep my customers flies in the correct feeding zone, regardless of conditions, or time of year. At the day's end; Mojo Mud means more fish in the net.
I have not tried it yet, but when I see $2 split shot and $10 moldable weight like this, I tend to shoot towards the cheaper stuff......But with Pat endorsing this product, I'm much more inclined to shell out the money to give it a try.
Good stuff. Works as advertised. The ability to adjust the weight while nymphing is the key. Besides Mojo Mud has some voodoo going for it. Clients love the name, and it helps them catch fish. That equals better tips. Try it you'll like it
Shoot, good enough for Pat Dorsey! then everyone may just want to give it a try..Reading his Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte is what got me to change alot of the ways I fished..havn't looked back. And one thing that I have "learned" when nymph fishing you need soft weight to get optimal depth...alot easier to fine tune...It is better to have to add a little soft weight occasionaly because it came off than to not hit the right depth because you don't have the right combo of split shot...Besides I now can keep fewer sizes of soft weight in my vest
I will add that Pat Dorsey taught me the single most important lesson I learned about nymph fishing, (and, as such fishing in Colorado) 12 or more years ago on the Williams Fork, when he looked me in the eye and said: "The difference between a good fly fisher and a great one is a BB." Which, Peter, goes to your point about the importance of changing weight before you change flies... If you hit 'em in the head (and I actually saw this while scuba diving with trout) they will eat it.
well im new to fly fishing, and it looks as if just about everyone is sold on it, so ill give it a try... it cant hurt.
As a dentist and fishing guide, I'm a GADGET guy!, always exploring new things. If you believe in getting your fly to the right depth to catch fish, then this is the product for you and me! Put a small split shot on 1st and then mold some mojo over the top of it.Dip it in the water for a few seconds and then your set. If you don't catch the bottom in your 1st 3 casts add more mud until you are tapping on the bottom, THEN take OFF a very slight amount. Now your are dialed in. Mojo is a great way to micro manage your weight, and when conditions call for it you can add or take off weight. AND the real nice thing is that when your container lid opens up (and it will) majority of time Mojo stays put. Still best when you buy it, cut it into quarters and then place each quarter in quadrants of your container. then if some of it falls out you won't loose it all. Overall this soft putty is 10-1 better than anything else on the market. Throw your old putty away and run to your fly shop tomorrow and get some Mojo Mud
I'm new to flyfishing, these sound like great ideas. How can I go wrong
the putty that i have seen sticks to the line and gunks it up. I'm anxious to give this stuff a try.
I got some at Sportsmans Warehouse last night..I will let you now how it does..but do not expect much different than what Kirk Deeter or Pat Dorsey have already said about it..i will try and do an unbiased test lol..I do not know either personally but with their reputations they would not bs and any advice they give I would follow
This sounds like stuff I've been looking for. I'm tired of taking off and adding split shot. It becomes a pain, so I don't do it. I'm going to give this a try
I have been a professional flyfishing guide here in Colorado for 18 yrs. When fishing nymphs, I feel it is critical for your success to have your flies at the same level where the fish are feeding. What has given me that opportunity is using MOJO MUD to fine tune my nymph rig so my flies are right on the fishes nose, which equals more "FISH ON", which keeps the smiles going for my clients
Thanks for the advice on fly weights and the new products
I'm new to flyfishing, these sound like great ideas. How can I go grow ?
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I love mojo mud, However I have a theory of why the brown mojo mud works so well here in Colorado... 1st most trout in Colorado are stocked
2nd these trout are raised on trout pellets
3rd trout pellets are little, round, and brown
4rth so is mojo mud
its just a theory im working on.
Post a Comment
I cannot imagine nymph fishing without Mojo Mud. As a professional guide, Mojo
Mud allows me to micro manage my nymphing rig to keep my customers flies in the correct feeding zone, regardless of conditions, or time of year. At the day's end; Mojo Mud means more fish in the net.
As a dentist and fishing guide, I'm a GADGET guy!, always exploring new things. If you believe in getting your fly to the right depth to catch fish, then this is the product for you and me! Put a small split shot on 1st and then mold some mojo over the top of it.Dip it in the water for a few seconds and then your set. If you don't catch the bottom in your 1st 3 casts add more mud until you are tapping on the bottom, THEN take OFF a very slight amount. Now your are dialed in. Mojo is a great way to micro manage your weight, and when conditions call for it you can add or take off weight. AND the real nice thing is that when your container lid opens up (and it will) majority of time Mojo stays put. Still best when you buy it, cut it into quarters and then place each quarter in quadrants of your container. then if some of it falls out you won't loose it all. Overall this soft putty is 10-1 better than anything else on the market. Throw your old putty away and run to your fly shop tomorrow and get some Mojo Mud
Good stuff. Works as advertised. The ability to adjust the weight while nymphing is the key. Besides Mojo Mud has some voodoo going for it. Clients love the name, and it helps them catch fish. That equals better tips. Try it you'll like it
I will add that Pat Dorsey taught me the single most important lesson I learned about nymph fishing, (and, as such fishing in Colorado) 12 or more years ago on the Williams Fork, when he looked me in the eye and said: "The difference between a good fly fisher and a great one is a BB." Which, Peter, goes to your point about the importance of changing weight before you change flies... If you hit 'em in the head (and I actually saw this while scuba diving with trout) they will eat it.
Hello Jerry K.
MojoMud is designed to work in water temps that trout prefer, 33 to 65 degrees F, so it needs to be pliable when it is cold out. If you use a small split shot (4 or 6) above your leader/tippet junction, and mold the Mud around it, that gives it something to anchor to. Then just dip the MojoMud in the cold water so it can set up before you cast. That should end your problems with it coming off.
I have been a professional flyfishing guide here in Colorado for 18 yrs. When fishing nymphs, I feel it is critical for your success to have your flies at the same level where the fish are feeding. What has given me that opportunity is using MOJO MUD to fine tune my nymph rig so my flies are right on the fishes nose, which equals more "FISH ON", which keeps the smiles going for my clients
Great I'll give it a try..Anyone that has used soft weight has had the same issues and for the same reasons as you I still use it. What I really hate is when you get the right amount of weight on and after reeling in a fish the weight is gone and I have to start over....Will definately get some of the Mojo Mud.....What do you think about the "thing-a-ma-bob" Ark Anglers gave me one to try out a few weeks ago..I liked it..saw a few guys on the stream using them
im not a huge fan of the mojo mud. i find in warmer temperatures the stuff likes to fly of every other cast. maybe if it was just a little more elastic like the orvis putty i would like it
Biggest problem with another product I have tried is that in warm weather it gets too soft and messy and sticks more to my fingers and vest than the line - I have to remember to hold the container in the stream before opening it. Hopefully, this will work better in warmer weather.
It's the little things like this that can save the day. Thanks for the advice Deeter and thanks for the tip troutguy2.
It's eco friendly, compact and can be molded into an infinite amount of sizes. I'm sold and I'm hard to please.
Oh, yeah .. can also just mold weights over or next to the tippet to leader knot.
i did mold it over a split shot or a blood knot and i do let it harden in the cold water, maybe it was just a bad batch. i did like how it wasnt messy,didnt get stuck or leave residue on anything it touched, and how you dont loose half of the product on the bottom of the container like loons putty.
Really liked your comment about changing weight 3-5 times before changing the fly.
I have not tried it yet, but when I see $2 split shot and $10 moldable weight like this, I tend to shoot towards the cheaper stuff......But with Pat endorsing this product, I'm much more inclined to shell out the money to give it a try.
Shoot, good enough for Pat Dorsey! then everyone may just want to give it a try..Reading his Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte is what got me to change alot of the ways I fished..havn't looked back. And one thing that I have "learned" when nymph fishing you need soft weight to get optimal depth...alot easier to fine tune...It is better to have to add a little soft weight occasionaly because it came off than to not hit the right depth because you don't have the right combo of split shot...Besides I now can keep fewer sizes of soft weight in my vest
the putty that i have seen sticks to the line and gunks it up. I'm anxious to give this stuff a try.
I got some at Sportsmans Warehouse last night..I will let you now how it does..but do not expect much different than what Kirk Deeter or Pat Dorsey have already said about it..i will try and do an unbiased test lol..I do not know either personally but with their reputations they would not bs and any advice they give I would follow
This sounds like stuff I've been looking for. I'm tired of taking off and adding split shot. It becomes a pain, so I don't do it. I'm going to give this a try
i did mold it over a split shot or a blood knot and i do let it harden in the cold water, maybe it was just a bad batch. i did like how it wasnt messy,didnt get stuck or leave residue on anything it touched, and how you dont loose half of the product on the bottom of the container like loons putty.
well im new to fly fishing, and it looks as if just about everyone is sold on it, so ill give it a try... it cant hurt.
I'm new to flyfishing, these sound like great ideas. How can I go wrong
Thanks for the advice on fly weights and the new products
I'm new to flyfishing, these sound like great ideas. How can I go grow ?
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If your mom discount pandora loves to cook, a gift basket full of cooking pandora sale ingredients, cook books and spices can make her day complete. If you really want to surprise her more, why not unpack pandora jewerly the goodies and cook some for dinner? That will surely be a terrific surprise.What about a free gift ideas for mother's day. Yes, this is a good idea, especially that we are experiencing economic discount pandora beads downturns right now. You can find items from your jewelry box, which you can mix cheap pandora beads together to form a nice jewelry string for your mom to display to her bedroom or office. Then add a new pandora beads scrapbook with loads of photos of you, mom, siblings and dad. Another great gift basket idea without spending a dime.Gift basket ideas pandora bead for mother's day is only limited to your imagination.
I love mojo mud, However I have a theory of why the brown mojo mud works so well here in Colorado... 1st most trout in Colorado are stocked
2nd these trout are raised on trout pellets
3rd trout pellets are little, round, and brown
4rth so is mojo mud
its just a theory im working on.
Post a Comment