Bodkin / Patterns

Belly Scratcher

Streamer · Trout · Intermediate · 3 versions

Note: This recipe has not been verified against a documented source, or disagrees with one. Treat the materials and steps as unconfirmed.

Classic Recipe

• Hook Streamer, 3x long, 2-6
• Thread White or tan 6/0

Materials

• Body Dubbing brush or chenille (full)
• Wing Marabou and saddle hackle (layered)
• Head Spun deer hair (sculpin shape)
• Eyes Lead dumbbell (1 pair)
• Belly flash Pearl flashabou (underneath)

How to tie it

1. Mount hook, wrap heavy lead wire on the front half of the shank.
2. Build a full body with dubbing brush or chenille, tapering wider toward the front.
3. Tie in a layered wing: marabou plume as the underwing for movement, saddle hackle feather over the top for profile. The wing should extend about one shank length past the bend.
4. Add pearl Flashabou underneath as belly flash, 6-8 strands. This mimics the silver belly of a baitfish.
5. Spin deer hair head and pack tight. Trim to a broad, flat sculpin shape.
6. Tie in dumbbell eyes on the underside, when the fly inverts, these ride on top.
7. Whip finish.

Other versions

2 more in the app: Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 1, Fly Fish Food Tie, variant 2.

Tying videos

• Belly Scratcher — Kelly Galloup (YouTube)
• Belly Scratcher — Fly Fish Food (YouTube)
• Belly Scratcher — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Belly Scratcher — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Belly Scratcher — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))
• Belly Scratcher — Fly Fish Food (Fly Fish Food (tutorial))

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