Step-By-Step Articulated Sculpin

[troutbug]

I have overwhelming requests to post a sbs for this pattern. It is not very hard and these are fairly new products ( the heads and shanks).
I did not have a crazy amount of time today to spend on it but I hope what I did helps and if anyone has questions feel free to post or pm me.

I used 2 body colors for the step by step so it is easier to coordinate what I am doing through pictures for the viewers.

-Materials


-I ran out of the stinger hooks I normally use so I used the next best hook I had for the job. Use whatever you like.


-

-Choose a nice piece of rabbit, I prefer crosscut


-Cut the tip of the rabbit to a point so it does not leave a big bulge after tying in


-Start wrapping the material forward, pull the hair back after every wrap so it does not become trapped leaving bald spots on the fly. I also overlap each wrap to build a nice full body.
-NOTE: After you tie a few I suggest using superglue on the shank of the hook before wrapping the rabbit forward. It secures the body and makes the fly more durable.




-Tie the material off and head cement/glue the head


-Attach the second shank


-Tie in the second piece of rabbit (Like I said, I am only using 2 colors for step by step purposes but 2 color combos can make some great flys with this pattern)


-Wrap it forward and tie it off


-I like tying in some red cheeks, looks good and the fish dont complain whatsoever lol. I use rabbit for this as well


-Trim the red rabbit and tie it down, then tie in a few strands of crystal flash/rainbow flash/any kind of flash that you feel suites the pattern.


-Make sure everything is tied down, whip finish and glue the head
NOTE: I recommend super glue


-Push the Sculpin Head on, Remember, I use superglue before sliding the head on as it helps secure the head and they are to expensive to lose.
-Then in front of the Sculpin head build a little bit of thread off so if the head were to come loose it would not fall off.

-Once the sculpin head is on I add the eyes then coat the whole head in my "Rock Hard" varnish as it secures the eyes and gives the head a nice slick look.


Hope this is enough to help everyone out.

[troutbug]

[AdamJ]

Nicely done!

[Flieguy]

Danke!

[fish gunner]

Wicked spin , approximately how long does each fly take.
Thanks for sharing .

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by fish gunner

Wicked spin , approximately how long does each fly take.
Thanks for sharing .

Takes me about 10-15 minutes per fly

[Xiph0id]

Beauty

[tazzy]

I don't tie my own flies but that was a great tutorial.

Might work great on Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by tazzy

I don't tie my own flies but that was a great tutorial.

Might work great on Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi.

I do have some tied up for salmon and steelhead, just totally different colors

[denniss13]

That was a great SBS. TroutBug
That answers a bunch of questions that I had. Very Simple once you see it done.

Tight Lines always
Dennis S

[Jayhad]

Troutbug,

do you ever find that the shanks fold over on each other while casting? I haven't tried the Fishhead shanks yet.

[grinr]

Originally Posted by tazzy

I don't tie my own flies but that was a great tutorial.

Might work great on Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi.

No question it would work on spring kelts but you'll have to omit the Helmet,weighted flies are illegal for Atlantics.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by Jayhad

Troutbug,

do you ever find that the shanks fold over on each other while casting? I haven't tried the Fishhead shanks yet.

These shanks were new to me last year, I used them numerous times fishing and never found a problem like you described.