I can't answer for mute but I tie about a million different patterns.
In all reality, I often (like this time of year) sit at my desk and will tie 20 flies no two the same and all brand new. I bet I have 100 flies sitting on my desk top. Most of them will never make it to a fly box, let alone streamside, let alone in the water. But you never know, I could find some outstanding pattern and fish can't resist, which I have a few of my personal patterns that have bumped out a traditional patterns and now have a permanate spot in my downs box.
I like to tinker and try and create a new realistic, but durable patterns that I can possible use. Some reach this goal, some do not. One thing I am sure of is that they will all catch trout (at least brook trout; which is where a lot of them will end up)