Paul's October Fly of the Month

 Fish Skull Skulpin Bunny

Hook:  Streamer Hook Size #4 4XL, down or straight eye (or streamer hook of choice).

Tying thread:   Black, Brown, or Olive 70 Denier Ultra-Thread.

Head:  Fish -Skull Sculpin Helmet (Small size for a Size #4 hook).

Eyes:  Fish-Skull Living Eyes.

Under Body:  (Optional) Favorite Tinsel or Sparkle Body.

Tail & Back:  Hareline Rabbit Strip Zonker (approximately 1/8” wide – color of choice- I like olive or brown.).

Collar/Throat:  (Optional) Long Fiber Dubbing or Lazer Dub.

Body & Fins:  Hareline Cross-cut Rabbit Strip (color to match tail/back).

Flash:  (Optional)  A few strands of Krystal Flash tied at the head on each side of the hook shank.

 One of the great features of this fly is that the hook point rides ‘inverted’ in the water.  You can bounce it off the bottom and get fish it to get into very deep holes.  It’s a great fly to use for ‘smallies’ on the Housatonic but trout will hit it too.  

Start your thread 2-3 eye lengths behind the eye of the hook.  Wrap backwards to create a thread base that completely covers the hook shank.  You are now going to prepare your Rabbit Zonker Strip for the Tail/Back.  Cut it approximately 2 times the length of your thread covered hook shank.  At the end of the tail cut a small “V” to create a tapered end of the fly.  Also, mark a spot on the strip that will be pierced by the hook point.  It should ultimately sit on the hook shank with the desired length of tail.  Place it aside for now. 

Next, tie in some Tinsel or Sparkle Body at the end of the hook shank.  Wrap it up  the hook shank to cover your thread base.  Tie and clip off the tag end.  Where your thread and body ends, you are going to tie in some Long Fiber Dubbing.  Take a clump and tie it to the hook shank.  Take a few loose wraps and with your fingers, press and form it around the hook shank.  Now pull the forward facing fibers rearward and tie them in place.  After removing your hook from the vice, take your precut Rabbit Zonker and pierce it with the hook point.  Pull the strip forward so that it rests on the hook shank.  Return your hook to the vice.  Secure the forward end of the strip with tight thread wraps. 

Take a piece of Cross-cut Rabbit Strip and tie it in at the front of the Back/Tail (you can use another Zonker Strip but make sure you sweep back the hair fibers as you wrap it around the shank).  Wrap it 2-3 times around the hook shank sweeping all hair fibers rearward.  Capture it with your thread and trim off the waste.  Your going to make multiple wraps to secure everything and form a solid base for your Skull Head.  You are now going to ‘test fit’ your Skull helmet on the fly.  You may need to build up your thread wraps if it fits too loosely.  Once your feel that the helmet fits to your liking, remove it from the hook shank.  Apply your adhesive of choice at the end of the hook shank (ultimately under the Fish Skull Head).  (I use Liquid Fusion).  Re-affix your Fish Skull on the hook.  I push mine back enough so that I have room to make some securing thread wraps in front of the Helmet.  When your Helmet is in place, splay and press the hair fibers of your collar flat on each side of it.  Place a drop of adhesive on your thread wraps in front of the Helmet, and in the eye sockets.  Place an adhesive, then your eyes in the sockets.  I then cover the eyes with UV resin to ensure durability.  Finally, I’ll use a magic marker to create a ‘barred’ effect on the fly body.

There is a great instructional video by McFly Angler below:

If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a Fly of the Month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or at pdinice@frontier.com .