Fly Tying Inventory
Skunk
One of the classic steelhead hairwings, dating to the 1930s. A red hackle-fiber tail, a black dubbed body ribbed with oval silver tinsel, a black hackle collar and a white hair wing give it its contrasting skunk coloring, with a few strands of purple flash under the wing. The pattern has spawned many variations, among them the Green Butt Skunk tied by Callaghan of the North Umpqua River. Tied here on a size 6 hook.
Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 9 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
UNI-Thread 8/0, black
Black · 8/0
Red hackle fibers
Red
Oval silver tinsel, medium
Silver · Medium
Polar Dub dubbing, black
Black
Black hackle
Black
Purple flash for a sparse underwing (or a similar flash)
Purple
White calf tail (or skunk hair)
White
Head cement
How to Tie the Skunk
- 1
Step 1
Clamp the hook in the vise, start the thread behind the eye and wrap a smooth base back to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a bunch of red hackle fibers at the bend for the tail. Bind the butts along the shank and trim any excess.
- 3
Step 3
Tie in the medium oval silver tinsel at the base of the tail and leave it hanging for the rib.
- 4
Step 4
Dub the thread with black Polar Dub and wrap a slim, even body forward, stopping well short of the eye to leave room for the hackle and wing.
- 5
Step 5
Wind the tinsel forward over the body in evenly spaced open turns. Tie it off at the front of the body and trim.
- 6
Step 6
Tie in a black hackle at the front of the body and wind a few turns as a collar. Tie it off and sweep the fibers back and down.
- 7
Step 7
Tie in a few strands of purple flash on top as a sparse underwing and trim them to length.
- 8
Step 8
Cut a bunch of white calf tail, clean out the short hairs and even the tips. Tie it in on top for the wing and trim the butts.
- 9
Step 9
Wrap a neat, tapered head over the butts, whip finish and coat the head with head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC2SgtYZPQg
Credit: Wet Fly Swing