Description
Green Butt Skunk: A Fly So Good, It Should Be Illegal
If you’ve ever stood knee deep in a river, waving a stick like a caffeinated conductor, you know fly fishing is less about catching fish and more about looking cool while pretending you know what you’re doing. Enter the Green Butt Skunk, a fly pattern so legendary it could probably tie itself to an Alec Jackson size 3 – 5 spey hook and still out fish you. This isn’t just a fly; it’s a swaggering, fish-seducing masterpiece that’s been hooking everything from trout to anadromous beasts across Alaska, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. So, grab a cold one, settle in, and let’s talk about why this fly is the rock star of the river.
Green Butt Skunk: Anatomy of a Badass Fly
Picture this: a fly that looks like it was designed by a mad scientist who moonlights as a burlesque costume designer. The Green Butt Skunk is tied on an Alec Jackson size 3-5 spey hook, which is basically the Cadillac of hooks—sleek, sturdy, and ready to handle whatever fish decides to take a swing. The tail? A sassy little number made of red-dyed squirrel, because nothing says “eat me” like a bright red squirrel butt waving in the current.
The body is where things get spicy. The back two-thirds are dubbed with Fl. Coalfire Monster Bush Fur, which sounds like something you’d find in a sci-fi flick but is actually just ridiculously vibrant dubbing that fish can’t resist. Then, it’s wrapped with silver wire, giving it that extra bling factor—like a fishy disco ball. The front third? More Fl. Coalfire Monster Bush Fur, but this time it’s paired with four wraps of palmed black schlappen, because apparently, this fly needed to be even more extra. Top it off with an Arctic fox hair wing, and you’ve got a fly that’s basically the equivalent of a peacock strutting through a trout stream.
This fly doesn’t just catch fish; it catches all the fish. I’ve personally seen it tempt nearly every species of trout known to man, from rainbows to browns to cutthroats, plus anadromous superstars like steelhead and salmon. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of flies, except it’s way cooler and doesn’t have a useless toothpick.
Swinging for Steelhead: From Alaska to Steelhead Alley
Let’s talk about where this fly works its magic. First stop: Alaska. The Last Frontier is where dreams of chrome-bright steelhead and salmon the size of small cars come true. Swing a Green Butt Skunk through the icy waters of the Kenai or the Tongass, and you’re practically begging for a fish to ruin your day with a fight that’ll leave your arms noodled. The bright green butt and flashy silver wrap scream “dinner” to fish that have seen it all, from bears to bald eagles.
Head south to Canada, and the Green Butt Skunk is still the belle of the ball. Rivers like the Skeena and Bulkley are steelhead meccas, and this fly has a knack for turning even the most skeptical fish into believers. The Pacific Northwest? Oh, please. From the Deschutes to the Rogue, this fly is like catnip for steelhead. And don’t even get me started on Idaho’s Clearwater River. That place is basically a steelhead spa, and the Green Butt Skunk is the five-star treatment. Swing it through those deep, emerald runs, and you’ll have steelhead lining up like they’re waiting for the new iPhone.
Then there’s Steelhead Alley, that magical stretch of rivers along Lake Erie’s tributaries in Ohio and Pennsylvania. These fish didn’t get the memo that they’re supposed to be picky, because the Green Butt Skunk has them acting unwise. Whether it’s the Grand, the Chagrin, or the Cattaraugus, this fly’s vibrant colors and seductive swing make it a go-to for anglers who want to look like they know what they’re doing (even if they don’t).
And let’s not forget the Pere Marquette in Michigan. This river is like the cool kid’s table in high school—only the best flies get an invite. The Green Butt Skunk doesn’t just get an invite; it’s the one throwing the party. Steelhead here can’t resist its flashy charm, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better fly for those crisp fall days when the leaves are turning and the fish are jumping.
Swinging for Trout: Montana’s Finest
Now, let’s pivot to trout fishing, because the Green Butt Skunk isn’t just a steelhead slayer—it’s a trout magnet, too. Montana’s Madison and Yellowstone Rivers are where this fly really struts its stuff. Swinging flies for trout isn’t as common as dead-drifting a nymph, but if you’re not swinging a Green Butt Skunk, you’re missing out on some serious fun.
The Madison River is like the supermodel of trout streams—gorgeous, temperamental, and full of fish that know they’re hot stuff. Swing a Green Butt Skunk through those riffles, and you’ll have rainbows and browns chasing it like it’s the last cupcake at a Weight Watchers meeting. The Yellowstone, with its wide, brawling runs, is another playground for this fly. The Arctic fox wing and schlappen hackle give it just the right amount of movement to drive big cutthroats and rainbows wild. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching a trout slam a swung fly—it’s like they’re personally offended by its existence.
Why the Green Butt Skunk Rules the River
So, why does this fly work so well? It’s not just the flashy materials or the fact that it looks like it belongs in a Vegas showgirl’s wardrobe. It’s the combination of visibility, movement, and pure fish-taunting attitude. The red squirrel tail and Fl. Coalfire Monster Bush Fur create a high-contrast profile that fish can spot from a mile away, even in murky water. The silver wire adds just enough flash to say, “Hey, I’m tasty,” without being obnoxious about it. And that Arctic fox wing? It pulses in the current like it’s got a mind of its own, making fish lose their tiny little minds.
Whether you’re chasing steelhead in the wilds of Alaska or swinging for trout on the Madison, the Green Butt Skunk is your wingman. It’s versatile enough to work in a variety of conditions—clear water, stained water, fast runs, slow pools, you name it. And let’s be real: there’s something inherently hilarious about a fly with a bright green butt catching fish that are supposedly “smart.” It’s like the fish are saying, “Yeah, I know it’s a fake, but I’m gonna hit it anyway.”
Tying and Fishing Tips for the Green Butt Skunk
Tying this fly is half the fun. The Alec Jackson spey hook gives you a solid foundation, and the materials are straightforward enough that even a moderately caffeinated angler can whip one up. The key is to keep the proportions tight—don’t skimp on the red squirrel tail, but don’t go overboard either. The Fl. Coalfire Monster Bush Fur needs to be dubbed evenly, and those four wraps of black schlappen should be spaced just right to give it that perfect, hackly swagger. The Arctic fox wing is the cherry on top—trim it to length so it flows naturally in the water.
When fishing it, swing it like you mean it. A good spey cast (or a sloppy one, no judgment) will get this fly in the zone. Let it drift through the current, and don’t be afraid to give it a little twitch now and then—fish love a fly with attitude. For steelhead, focus on deep runs and tailouts. For trout, target riffles and seams where fish are likely to be holding.
The Verdict: A Fly That’s Too Good to Be True
The Green Butt Skunk isn’t just a fly; it’s a lifestyle. It’s the kind of fly that makes you feel like a rock star when you tie it, a ninja when you cast it, and a god when you hook a fish. From the wild rivers of Alaska to the trout-filled waters of Montana, this fly has been there, done that, and caught the fish to prove it. So, next time you’re standing in a river, cursing your tippet and questioning your life choices, tie on a Green Butt Skunk. It’s not just a fly—it’s a guarantee that something’s gonna go down, and it’s gonna be epic.
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