Streamers: Step-by-step fly tying instructions

Fish-Skull Foxy Shrimp designed by Mike Smith.

An exceptional shrimp fly pattern designed to be fished in shallow water for a variety of saltwater species.

The Fish-Skull Foxy Shripm is tied with the award-winning Fish-Skull® Mini Sculpin Helmet™ to get the fly down fast and ensure that it will always swim in the hook-up position without snagging while fishing the grass and sand flats.

Ultra-realistic Fish-Skull® Living Eyes™ act as an important trigger for predatory gamefish.

Fly tying materials

Head: Fish-Skull® Sculpin Helmet™, mini, silver.
Eyes: Fish-Skull® Living Eyes™, 3 mm, ice.
Hook: #4, standard saltwater, stainless.
Rubber Legs: Crazy legs, clear/pearl flake (or similar).
Body: Fox fur, white.
Flash: Crystal (pearl).
Thread dam: Pink.

Fly tying instructions

Step 1

This fly is tied in the hook upwards position. Secure the hook in the vise as shown, and attach your thread (mono or white) to the hook.

Note: Leave a large gap between the thread and the eye of the hook to make room to fit the Sculpin Helmet.

Step 2

Take a strip of Crazy Legs (or similar silicone “rubber legs”) and cut it into 4 sections.

Note: You will use one section per fly.

Step 3

Tie in the rubber legs. Use 4 or 5 tight thread wraps and make sure the rubber legs are completely wrapped around the entire hook shank (360º).

Step 4

Tie in 6-8 strands of Crystal Flash.

Step 5

Rotate your vise so the hook is facing downwards. Take a small, sparse amount of Fox fur and tie it in.

Spread the fur around so it covers the top half of the hook shank.

Step 6

Rotate your vise so the hook is back in the hook-up position. This is the top of the fly.

Take another sparse clump of Fox fur and tie on the top half of the fly.

Note: make sure the fur (top and bottom) completely covers the hook shank and is wrapped evenly around all sides (360º).

Step 7

Tie off your thread.

Note: There's still a large gap behind the eye of the hook which leaves you room to fit the Sculpin Helmet.

Step 8

Put some super glue all around (360º) the thread wraps.

Step 9

Fit the Sculpin Helmet onto the fly. Make sure the Sculpin Helmet is seated firmly in place against the materials.

Note: there should be a small gap between the eye of the hook and the Sculpin Helmet.

Step 10

Re-attach pink thread between the front of the Sculpin Helmet and the eye of the hook.

Use 10-15 thread wraps to create a thread dam which secures the Sculpin Helmet firmly in place.

Step 11

Tie off your thread and use head cement.

Step 12

Put a small drop of super glue in the middle of each eye socket.

Step 13

Place a Living Eye in each eye socket.

Step 14

Trim the rubber legs so that they are the same length or slightly shorter than the Fox fur.

Note: Trim the legs to different lengths to help them move better in the water and give the fly a more natural look.

Be careful not to cut the Fox fur while trimming the rubber legs.

Step 15

Your fly is done! Go catch a big fish!