Bodkin / Patterns

Nut Cracker

Streamer · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 4XL streamer, down eye (e.g. TMC 300), 2-6
  • Thread Tan 6/0 body, flat waxed for hair

Materials

  • Lead-free wire (underbody)
  • Rabbit Zonker strip Natural / olive / tan rabbit zonker strip (tail and back)
  • Sparkle chenille or dubbing Tan / cream sparkle chenille or dubbing (body)
  • Mallard flank Natural mallard flank (collar (optional))
  • Deer hair Natural deer hair (spun sculpin head)

How to tie it

  1. Lay lead-free wire along the shank for weight and start thread at the bend.
  2. Tie in a rabbit Zonker strip at the bend for a tail one to one-and-a-half shank lengths long, fur flowing back.
  3. Tie in sparkle chenille and wrap a full body forward to the 70% mark.
  4. Pull the Zonker strip forward over the back and bind it down at the 70% mark; snip the excess hide, leaving the fur.
  5. Optionally sweep a mallard flank collar around the tie-down for gills and fins.
  6. At the front third, spin and pack dense clumps of natural deer hair, working back to front.
  7. Whip finish at the eye, then trim the deer hair to a broad flat sculpin head. Wide on top, clipped close underneath.

Tying videos

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