Bullhead Sculpin #4

There are plenty of other variations on the Bullhead Sculpin that could be made, but for now we’ll end with number 4, a Bullhead Sculpin with trimmed head and body paint. It’s very easy to do.

Step One: Tie the Bullhead Sculpin to your liking.

The Bullhead Sculpin ready to be trimmed and painted.

The Bullhead Sculpin ready to be trimmed and painted.

Step Two. Trim the head to a cone shape. Color the tying thread if needed. In this instance I colored it brown. Using a permanent, black marker, give the imitation a black eye.

The Bullhead Sculpin with trimmed head and black eye.

The Bullhead Sculpin with trimmed head and black eye.

Step Three. Using a brown permanent marker, add mottling to the sides of the fly. It’s best to pull all the hair back tightly and hold it by the tips as you apply the marks. If using a sharp tipped marker, blot the side of the point against the hair rather than trying to add the mottles with the sharp point. The mottles not only make the fly look more like the natural, but in the water, add to the visual impression of the swimming motion. Allow the marker ink to dry for 24 hours before using the fly.

The finished Bullhead Sculpin in its war paint.

The finished Bullhead Sculpin in its war paint.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Lars Bentsen says:

    Hi Gary!

    Nice flies – love the simple design! I’ve never heard of Foxx Fur, but it looks similar to Craft Fur – is that right? I want to try some of these flies myself!

    Thanks!

    Lars Bentsen
    Denmark

  2. Gary Borger says:

    Hi Lars,
    Thanks for the nice comment. FoxxFurr is like craft fur, but a bit denser. The spinning loop tactic works with just about any material. Craft fur, deer hair, yak hair, badger hair, etc., etc. Try a whole bunch of different materials, you’ll be pleased and surprised at the great flies you can create.
    All my best,
    Gary