The natural madtom were the choice live baits for the old-time fishermen on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River when I grew up in the fifties. Today the Murray’s Madtom Sculpin will take many great bass in all large rivers. I experiment with the two colors because on some days the bass take one color better than the other. Very productive areas are below the riffles and in the tails of the pools where a six inch every ten seconds is very effective.
Tying Materials for Murray’s Madtom
Hook: Mustad Signature 9672 or Mustad Heritage R74AP, in size 4, 6 or 8
Thread: 3/0 Prewaxed Monocord, olive or black
Tail: Magnum Rabbit Zonker Strips, olive or black
Body, Head and Pectoral Fins: Tanned Rabbit 1/4 Skin, olive or black
Eye: Dumbbell Lead Eyes, medium
Weight: Lead Wire, medium
I prefer to fish these on a 9ft 7-weight fly rod with a Murray’s Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader. If the water is deep and fast running then I will switch over to a Murray’s Fluorocarbon Sinking Leader in 9ft 2X.
We have many fly tying kits in the fly shop including one for the Murray’s Madtom Sculpin. Includes materials and instructions but you will need a vise and tying tools.