Sculpin Toad

The Morphing of an Iron Fly Contest

I have to admit...  I love creating flies anyway, but the way this fly came into existence has been a pretty cool process that I won't forget anytime soon.  Also, you will see kind of how my twisted brain works when I'm presented with a challenge or a new material.  Last fall (2019) we decided to attend IFTD (International Fly Tackle Dealer show) in Denver to see all the latest greatest wares in the fly fishing industry.  Along with a very cool show of many types of products, there was also an "iron fly" competition, and Curtis DEMANDED that I participate.  In all honesty, I love doing stuff like that because it's just raw creativity thrown onto a hook.  Long story short, the winning fly for the competition was a Tarpon Toad-ish pattern tied out of nasty craft fur taken from a large stuffed monkey...  Yeah, weird right?  Anyway, that fly was kind of half sculpin and half tarpon toad, and after passing that fly to the judges, the wheels in my head started to spin as to how I would tie this fly if I had all the materials that I would normally use on something like a "Sculpin Toad."  I spent a good month dialing, tweaking, and tying this pattern until I passed it to a good buddy Derek Bowles for testing.  Make sure to watch the video to see an awesome fish he caught on the fly, and also to see a good underwater swim video of it...  I'm sure this fly will get a few more changes down the road, but for now I'm really happy with how it performs.  Since the filming of this bug, I had a chance to test if for myself, and it was better than I ever thought it would be...  

The tying video for this one is a bit long, but I think it was important to show exactly how to do each step in the process instead of leaving it all to guesswork.  Bear with us on the length of this video because it's worth it in our opinion.  As a bonus we added a video that shows one of the most amazing streamer floats we have ever had on the Green River, and the Sculpin Toad was responsible for many fish!

~ Cheech

As a general disclaimer, we always try to have a LOT of materials on hand for any of the new flies that we release, but as much as we try, it can be kind of difficult to keep up with the demand for these materials.  We make huge orders to our suppliers every week, so if you can't find something for this fly just know that we are ordering new stuff every week to keep you in the good stuff.  Also, feel free to mess with different sizes, colors, and weights.  I have listed the tan version below (hint...  it SLAYS.)

**UPDATE**  This video has been out for about a week and the reception has been CRAZY!!  Anyway, we have been trying to keep everything in stock as best we can, but there are still some gaps here and there.  Look at the very bottom to see a list of alternate materials to tie this fly.  There is a variety of materials that will work with this bug, so don't be afraid to mix it up a bit.  The key to a successful fly is proper weighting and proper trimming.  Also, thanks for the support!!

Cheech

Olive Sculpin Toad Material List

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Hook: Fulling Mill 36040 Streamer Stripper - 1
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Olive
Beads: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Connection Wire: Senyo Intruder Trailer Hook Wire - Black - Regular
Flash: Polar Flash - 2010 - Gold
Body: EP Fibers - Olive
Body: EP Fibers - Brown
Body: EP Fibers - Black
Tail: Magnum Rabbit Strips - Olive Variant
Resin/Eyes: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Black
Resin/Body: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Hot Yellow
Bulk Bead Option: Tungsten Bomb Beads 100 Pack - Gold - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Super Glue: Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

Other tools from the tutorial:
 

Loon Ergo Comb
Fiskars 5" Micro-Tip Scissors
Chicone's Material & Fly Prep Station

Tan Sculpin Toad Material List

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Hook: Fulling Mill 36040 Streamer Stripper - 1
Thread: Danville Flat Waxed Nylon Thread - 140 Denier - Tan
Beads: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Gold - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Connection Wire: Senyo Intruder Trailer Hook Wire - Black - Regular
Flash: Polar Flash - 2010 - Gold
Body: EP Fibers - Beige
Body: EP Fibers - Brown
Body: EP Fibers - Black
Tail: Magnum Rabbit Strips - Gold Variant
Resin/Eyes: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Brown
Resin/Body: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Yellow
Bulk Bead Option: Tungsten Bomb Beads 100 Pack - Gold - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Super Glue: Fly Tyer's Z-Ment

Alternate Materials

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Hook Alternate: Gamakatsu B10S - 1 - 25 Pack
Hook Alternate: Gamakatsu B10S Stinger Nano Smooth Coat - 1
Hook Alternate: Ahrex 610 Trout Predator Streamer Hook - 1
Flash Alternate: Polar Flash - 2001 - Pearl
Flash Alternate: Polar Flash - 2033 - Mirage Opal
Rabbit Alternate: Brown Barred Magnum Rabbit Strips - Olive
Rabbit Alternate: Magnum Rabbit Strips - Olive
Rabbit Alternate: Magnum Rabbit Strips - Tan
Rabbit Alternate: Olive Barred Magnum Rabbit Strips - Light Olive
EP Alternate (Olive): EP Fibers 3-D - Everglades
EP Alternate (Olive): EP Fibers 3-D - Tarpon Streamer
EP Alternate (Tan) : EP Fibers 3-D - Sand
EP Alternate (Olive): EP Fibers 3-D - Olive
Bead Alternate: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Olive - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Bead Alternate: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Metallic Brown - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Bead Alternate: Plummeting Tungsten Beads - Nickel - 3/16" (4.6mm)
Resin Eye Alternate: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Smoke
Resin Eye Alternate: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Olive
Resin Eye Alternate: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Red
Resin Belly Alternate: Loon UV Colored Fly Finish - Hot Green