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How To Tie Dave Whitlock's Hare Sculpin
Hare Sculpin
Recipe:
Hook: Tiemco 700, size 2-6
Thread: Danville 210
Eyes: Presentation eye, 7/32
Gills: Red hackle
Pectoral Fin: Natural pheasant rump
Body: White rabbit on top, sculpin olive on bottom. Glue together with Tear Mender.
Step 1.
Secure the eyes. To learn more about this step click here for more details. Then wind to the bend.
Step 2.
Cut a rabbit strip about two inches in length and tie it down. If the rabbit hair is getting in the way you can wet your fingers and stroke the hair. This will keep the hair back while you tie it down. Keep the wraps on top of each other. I make about four to five wraps.
Step 3.
Poke the other color of rabbit through the hook point. Let it hang there while you tie in the pectoral fins and gills. Also don’t worry about cutting it to length until your ready to glue it, but at the same time, don’t let it be too long in the front or it might get in the way while you’re tying the other materials in.
Step 4.
Tie in two of the same pheasant rump feathers (pluck two at the same time). When trying to proportions these correctly, make sure you tie them to be able to see. If you tie them to small you might not see them once the fly is completed. I usually use the bend of the hook for a reference.
Step 5.
I’m using schlappen hackle because its webby and looks better to me, but any red hackle will work. I make about two turns and cut the excess off.
Step 6.
The white strip should have a little tag end hanging off the bend of the hook. If it’s still long like a tail go ahead and cut it to only be a ¼ in length hanging of the bend. The rabbit strip facing forward should measure to be cut right behind the eye. You’ll first tie down the belly (white) and then the olive.
Step 7.
I really don’t show you in detail this next step so I’ll try to explain it. The olive rabbit strip should be hanging there. Slide it up and make the strip lay flush up against the hook shank. The front should be cut the same way you did the white rabbit strip. You can also cut this in a “V” shape to cut down on excess bulk from thread wraps. The tail should measure about a shank or a little more in length. Once you have the two strips tied down in the front you’re ready to whip finish and glue down the two hides together. I use a tooth pick for gluing down the rabbit. It’s not as messy this way. Apply a smooth foundation of Tear Mender on both sides of the hide. Try not to have excess glue on the sides or you will know it when you press the two hides together. It will come out the ends and get on the rabbit hair itself causing the fly to come out looking the way you didn‘t want it.
Step 8.
The last thing to do is cut the belly hair flush against the rabbit hide all the way down the hook shank. Remember to leave a small amount hanging off the back while your cutting it. This will blend into the olive rabbit for the tail.
