Skunk

Wrap thread onto the hook shank from about 1mm behind the eye to the start of the hook bend. Tie in the hair tail material by making two loose wraps followed up with 3 to 5 tight wraps. Continue with additional tight wraps right to the base of the tail. Continue wrapping the hair forward to where the body is expected to end. This provides an even base for the body.

Attach the chenille with 3 to 5 tight wraps of thread. Continue to wrap thread around the body material from the base of the tail to the front end of the body. This makes an even underbody foundation.

Tie in tinsel at the base of the tail. Wind chenille evenly on 3/4 of hook shank to form the body. Secure with 3 thread wraps.

Wrap ribbing material with even spaces forward from the tail base to the front end of the body. Usually 5 to 8 wraps are used. Tie off with 3 to 5 tight wraps.

Select yarn or hair and position it with tip ends rearward. If hair is used, clean away fuzz and short hairs. Wrap with 2 loose windings followed up with 3 to 5 tight windings. After the loose wraps the wing can be repositioned or its length can be adjusted.

Pull excess base material upwards and clip closely parallel with hook shank. Wrap wing bases with thread. Place a drop of thin head cement to penetrate and to additionally secure wing.

Note: Wing should be slanted 45° backwards. If needed, tie in thread behind wing to reposition it upright.

Select hackle for size and stiffness. Expose tip by gently stroking back fibers. Tie in by tip with two loose winds followed up with 3 to 5 tight winds. Convex side of hackle faces the fly's body

Wind hackle evenly forward to 1mm behind hook eye. Tie off with 3 to 5 tight thread wraps. Cut off to break away excess hackle. Short or slippery hackles require hackle pliers while long hackles can be wound with fingers.

Whip finish head with 4 to 8 turns. Pull tag end firmly and cut off excess thread. Place a drop of head cement on knot and allow it to penetrate both the thread base and hackle stems.

The skunk pattern is one of my favorite steelhead flies. I fish it on the swing and grease line presentations. It works at the surface and in the depths. An excellent variation is to substitute purple chenille and purple guinea hen hackle for the traditional black material colors.