Green Butt Skunk

The Green Butt Skunk has been a classic summer and fall steelhead pattern amongst most anglers who swing flies. Dan Callaghan originally created this pattern to fish for summer runs on the North Umpqua River. The fly is very simple to tie up and is a very effective fly. Talking with people like Keith Stonebraker, he will mention that he has taken multiple fish on a Green Butt. From Snake River fish to Clearwater River fish, they like it in all drainages.

Material List:

Hook: Daiichi 2051 #7
Thread: UTC Red 140
Tail: Strung Saddle Hackle Red
Rib: Veevus French Tinsel Medium THREAD6
Butt: Hareline STS Trilobal Dub Fl. Chartreuse
Body: Hareline STS Trilobal Dub Black
Hackle: Strung Saddle Hackle Black
Wing: Fish Hunter Calf Tail White

Video Transcription

Intro to the Balanced Minnow Leech

Hello everybody. Dylan here at the North 40 Fly Shop in Lewiston. We are here tying a Green Butt Skunk. Going to whip up my own rendition of this fly, so I'll get started.

Step-by-Step Tying Instructions

First I'm using a 2051 Daiichi size 7. I'm attaching my red UTC 140 here.

This is a great summer steelhead, fall steelhead fly. Works really well in the Clearwater river. It's one of the classics that a lot of guys will fish. I will almost guarantee that most guys who do swing flies will have one of these in their blocks.

You'll bring the thread back to the end ... Or where the hook point is. Using red saddle hackle here, from Fish Hunter, I will add a tail. Attaching it with a couple loose wraps. That way I can make sure it's secure or put to the point where I want it. Some more tight wraps here securing it down.

Next I will be adding some medium French tinsel from Veevus. Giving myself plenty to work with. Attaching it on the underside of this fly. Securing that tightly.

Next I'll be taking some STS trilobal in a chartreuse, giving it the green butt. Adding some wax to my thread here. Dubbing that on. Building that green butt up. Don't need to add too much here.

Next I'll be adding some STS trilobal dub in black. Waxing the thread yet again. Wrapping this forward. Pulling off the excess dubbing I had.

Next I'll wrap my French tinsel forward. Wrapping about five times. Securing that off.

Now I'll add some black saddle hackle from Fish Hunter. Turning those fibers back so they stay out of the way. Pulling those fibers back as I wrap forward.

Now that I have that on there I'm going to add some white calf tail. Not too much. Pulling the underfur out. Blending it up to make it twist a little bit before the end of the hook. Couple loose wraps and then pulling directly up. Pulling those fibers back and securing it some more.

Now I can whip finish. A couple whip finishes and there you have it.

My rendition of the Green Butt Skunk.

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