Murray’s Sculpin Marauder

I designed the Sculpin Marauder as a big fly to catch the large smallmouth bass that feed heavily on the sculpin minnows. Sculpin minnows live under large boulders and in the strong riffles. I use a sinking tip line or a fast sinking head line to swim this fly right along the bottom of the river.

Wade into the river right beside the riffle and cast straight across the stream. After it sinks deeply, strip it 6 inches every 5 seconds to swim it among the boulders on the bottom. Using this same technique, I wade very slowly downstream to cover all of the water for the next 100 feet.

I find this fly most effective in the spring or fall when the streams are cooler and the larger bass are looking for a big mouthful. Since it only comes in a size 4, I would recommend fishing it on a 9ft 7-weight fly rod. Try it on a Murray’s Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader for if you want a sinking leader, try the Murray’s Fluorocarbon 9ft 2X leader.

Tying the Sculpin Marauder

Hook: Mustad 9672 size 4

Thread: Kevlar, Olive

Tail: Rabbit Zonker Strips, Olive 1/4 inch wide

Body: Leech Yarn, Olive

Rib: Fine Wire, Copper

Wing: Saddle Hackle, Olive

          Accent Flash, Rainbow over Calf Tail, Olive

Head and Collar: Deer Hair, Olive

Weight: Non Toxic Wire, 0.025

Cover hook shank with tying thread and coat with head cement. Place six wraps of Lead Free Wire in mid hook shank and cover with tying thread. Tie in Olive Zonker Strips over hook bend so it extends 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch behind the hook bend with furry side up to form the tail. Then tie in a six inch strip of Copper Wire over the hook bend as ribbing. Tie in Leech Yarn over the hook bend and wind forward to within 1/2 inch of the hook eye, tie off and cut off. Wind the ribbing through the body and tie in and cut off just forward of the body.

Tie in the under wing of Calf Tail and Accent Flash 1/2 inch behind the eye so it extends to the hook bend. Tie in Saddle Hackle on top so it extends to the end of the fly tail and trim off the butt ends of all wing material. Clean out some Olive Deer Hair and tie it in. Then spin it to form the collar and head of the fly. The collar should extend to the hook point. Trim the head of the fly to a bullet shape. Apply a whip finish and coat this knot with head cement.