Fly Tying: Critter Sculpin

During the October and November months in Alaska, it is the ideal time to fish with two handed rods. The water is low, the scenery is majestic and with less pressure on the river, it is downright peaceful and serene. A swing fly every two hander junky needs to have in their fly box is a sculpin or leech pattern. They are a favorite because they are effective.

The Critter Sculpin, designed by Mike Brown is an off shoot of a Booyah with some material and tying differences. This pattern proved to be a big success, especially on the swing with some action added to it while fishing it.

You can tie this pattern in various colors and sizes. You can also tie it shallow style (no lead eyes) or with bigger eyes for deeper buckets and runs. Happy Tying

Fly Designer: Mike Brown

Instructions & Photos: Mike Brown

Mike Brown is a lifelong Alaskan and the owner of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage Alaska. He is passionate about all things fly fishing, fly tying and music. Thanks, Mike for your contributions!

Material List:

Hook: Aqua Flies Talon Hook Sz 4 or 2
Shank: Aqua Flies 33mm Round Eye Shank
Stinger Thread: 30lb FireLine
Lead Eyes: Med Lead Eyes
Tail: Zonker Black Rabbit Strip
Body: UV Polar Chenille Copper
Collar: Black Marabou
Head: Cross Cut Black Rabbit
Thread: Veevus 140 Black

Step 1. Start your thread and tie in your lead eyes, approximately 2 hook eye widths, back of the eye. This gives you room for a few turns of rabbit to create a nice big sculpin head. Run your thread to the back.

Step 2. Tie in your stinger thread and adjust to the desired length. Tie down the tag ends to the back of the eyes and tie back over to where you started.

Step 3. Tie in your Zonker rabbit tail. I cut the rabbit just past the end of the stinger thread, you want to be sure that the tail will not get hung up in the hook point if you are going to run hook up.

Step 4. Tie in your UV Polar Chenille and run your thread forward to with in 1-4 to 3/8 from the hook eyes.

Step 5. Wrap the polar chenille forward approximately 5 to 6 turns and tie off.

Step 6. Tie in the tip end of your marabou. Select your marabou to cover over the polar chenille body but not too long to cover the tail.

Step 7. Wrap your marabou 3 to 4 turns, this will make a nice big collar to create the back side of the sculpin head.

Step 8. Using cross cut rabbit cut off the hide, place in a dubbing loop and spin.

Step 9. Wrap your rabbit forward, making 2-3 turns behind the eyes, figure 8 over the eyes, and then 2-3 turns in front of the eyes. Whip finish and glue. This will create a nice big fat head.