In this week’s “How to Tie” video feature, Kelly Galloup with TheSlideInn ties one of his classic sculpin streamer patterns, Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin.
Learn About This Fly:
Difficulty: Difficult
Streamer season is here and to stay through the winter. Trout have and will continue to eat big ticket items to prepare for colder temperatures, inevitably decreasing their energy output and feeding habits. It is always good to have a few streamers in your fly box regardless of time of year, but sculpin imitations during winter in particular are a must. Joe Humphreys once said that sculpin are strawberry shortcake for trout, and that’s enough reason as to why you should always carry a few of in your streamer box, starting with Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin.
If you have tied the classic Woolly Bugger, you already know how to tie more than 50% of this fly. For the novice tyer, working with deer hair for the head and collar will be difficult, but patience is key and will set you on the right path. Do not expect perfection the first time and keep practicing proportions and hair density until you have consistency. Much like many of Kelly’s streamers, Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin is not easy but worth every second behind the vise.
Depending on depth and current, you could fish this streamer on an intermediate or full sinking line. It’s weightless body combined with a substantial amount of deer hair will make it necessary for some form of sinking line or additional weight to get this fly down. Fishing this one low and slow during the coldest months of the year for a reactionary strike can bring success, but like most things in fly fishing it is good to change it up and test different retrieves. Enjoy the process for this pattern and sitting down after a long week with a drink behind the vise, Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin isn’t to be rushed through.
Ingredients:
- Hook: Dai-Riki 710 #2
- Tail 1: 1 Plume of Cream Marabou
- Tail 2: 1 Plume of Tan/Brown MFC Barred Marabou
- Body: Tan Chenille or Ginger/White Variegated Chenille
- Hackle: Light Brown Neck Hackle or Ginger Strung Rooster Saddle
- Rib: Gold Ultra Wire (Size: Brassie)
- Head and Collar: Natural Deer Hair
Now you know how to tie Galloup’s Wooly Sculpin!
Video and ingredients courtesy of TheSlideInn.
