Bodkin / Patterns

Balanced Sculpin

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 60° jig or straight streamer hook, #6-10
  • Thread Olive or tan 6/0

Materials

  • Balance pin Steel balance pin (Balance pin, extends past eye)
  • Bead Gold or black bead (Slotted tungsten on the pin)
  • Tail Olive / brown / tan material (Marabou, one clump)
  • Body Match tail (Sculpin dubbing or micro chenille)
  • Pectoral fins Mottled brown pectoral fins (Hen or partridge, splayed)
  • Head Olive / tan material (Sculpin wool or dubbing, brushed)

How to tie it

  1. Slide the bead onto the balance pin and mount the hook.
  2. Lash the pin along the shank with the bead one bead width past the eye and glue it so the fly hangs horizontally.
  3. At the bend tie in a marabou tail one shank length long in a sculpin color.
  4. Dub or wrap a body forward to the front third.
  5. Tie in a splayed hen or partridge feather on each side as pectoral fins, sculpins prop themselves on these, so keep them wide.
  6. Spin or dub a fuller head of sculpin wool behind the bead and brush it out, then sweep it back and trim the underside flat.
  7. Whip finish behind the bead and give the head a rough sculpin shape.

Tying videos

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