Fly Tying Inventory
Slumpbuster
John Barr's pine squirrel streamer is a deadly sculpin and baitfish imitation. The conehead and natural fur strip create an irresistible undulating action that triggers aggressive strikes from large trout.
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Materials
3XL streamer hook (TMC 5263, Dai-Riki 700), sizes 4-8
Gold or brass conehead, sized to match hook
Brown or olive 6/0 (140 denier)
Lead or non-lead wire wraps behind conehead
Pine squirrel zonker strip, tied short
Pine squirrel zonker strip, palmered forward over dubbing underbody
Variegated chenille or dubbing to build profile
Copper Flashabou or Krystal Flash, 4-6 strands
How to Tie the Slumpbuster
- 1
Step 1
Slide conehead onto hook, small hole forward. Mount hook in vise, start thread behind conehead and wrap rearward to build a thread dam.
The thread dam keeps the conehead from sliding back.
- 2
Step 2
Wrap 10-15 turns of lead wire behind the conehead and secure with thread wraps.
Push the wire snug against the conehead for a streamlined profile.
- 3
Step 3
Cut a pine squirrel zonker strip about 1.5x the shank length. Tie in at the bend as the tail.
Wet the strip to see the natural taper of the fur.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in 4-6 strands of Flashabou along each side of the tail.
- 5
Step 5
Dub or wrap chenille forward to create a tapered underbody, stopping behind the conehead.
- 6
Step 6
Pull the remaining zonker strip forward over the top of the body and tie down behind the conehead, creating a shellback effect.
Keep the strip centered on top of the hook shank for the best silhouette.
- 7
Step 7
Trim excess strip, build a neat thread head behind the conehead, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xqV1-jhUQg
Credit: John Barr