The Skunk
The Skunk is arguably the most famous steelhead wet fly ever tied, a must-have in any steelhead box from Oregon to British Columbia. Its striking black-body, white-wing, and red-tag combination is instantly recognizable and has been tempting steelhead since the 1940s. The pattern works in every season and water condition — clear or colored, summer or winter. Fish it on a classic downstream swing.
- Type
- wet fly (Steelhead)
- Hook sizes
- #2–8
- Target species
- steelhead
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- fall, winter, spring, summer
Materials
- hook: Steelhead wet fly hook #2–8
- thread: Black 6/0
- tag: Red wool
- body: Black chenille
- ribbing: Oval silver tinsel
- hackle: Black saddle hackle, collar
Tying steps
- Mount a size 2–8 steelhead hook; start black thread.
- Tie in a short red wool tag at the bend.
- Wind flat or oval silver tinsel rib at the bend.
- Wind black chenille body from the tag to the 2/3 mark.
- Counter-wrap silver tinsel rib in 5 spirals over the body.
- Tie in a black saddle hackle collar; make 3–4 turns.
- Tie in a white polar bear or white calf tail wing over the body.
- Build a neat head; whip finish and lacquer.