Woolhead Sculpin

Created by Mike Lawson

HOOK: TMC 300, size 4; weight the hook THREAD: Black TAIL: Straight-cut black rabbit strip about the same length as the hook BODY: Diagonal-cut black rabbit strip wound around the hook. Clip the underside short. PECTORAL FINS: Black hen saddle HEAD: Black wool, spun and clipped

Uses

Sculpins (aka "bullheads") are often eaten by large, predatory trout, both in rivers and in lakes. This is one of many sculpin patterns that anglers have devised.

 
I watched Bob Jones land two mamouth brown trout one evening, one near ten pounds and the other a bit more. Both were caught on this fly. I've been a believer in it ever since. It's a good general baitfish pattern.

Variations

Olive and brown are two other useful colors.

How to Fish

Use a sink-tip or full sinking line and a count-down-and-retrieve or slow retrieve presentation. Sometimes make the fly move with quick darts: give it a short fast strip, then let it sit, then strip again; and so on. The main thing is to be at the right depth (it will vary) and to make the fly move like it is alive.