Wet Skunk
Michigan Girdle Bug
I’m sure, like many when I say my first Wet Skunk, I thought to myself really this fly? This fly will catch trout? Now I’m on the other side of the fence. Certainly I’m a believer. I will not be on a trout stream in Michigan without a Wet Skunk (Girdle Bug). From Early Spring streamer trips to middle of the summer hopper trips, I always have my Wet Skunk box. The simple 
answer to the question that I hear the most, What does it imitate? My response is FOOD!
As you walk or float down the river early in the season, and you see Stonefly shucks it’s time to fish a Wet Skunk. If your looking to match the hatch, the wet skunk is a perfect stonefly searching pattern. I like to tie the pattern in a variety of colors, black/white, brown/yellow, and olive/tan. However, the pattern shown below in copper/white is one of my better producers due to the many Medium Brown stoneflies in the Manistee River. This pattern is also extremely effective on the Pine River, in black with white legs.
We fish this pattern on a floating line, with a longer leader, twitching the fly close to structure and drop-offs. Great pattern to have in your box on those bright sunny days.
Jon Ray
Wet Skunk Material List
- Size 4-10 Streamer Hook / Wet Fly Hook
- White Kiptail / Calftail
- New Age Chenille, Amberstone, Medium
- Medium Round Rubber Legs
- Bug Collar – Size 7/32
Slide your Bug Collar onto your Diiachi 2220 size 6 hook
Start your 6/0 Brown Thread and create a base
Tie down a small clump of Kiptail, about 1/2 the length of the hook shank
Tie in your chenille at the Bug Collar and wrap over it to the rear of the hook to create a base so the body has an equal taper
Wrap your chenille about 3 wraps forward and secure it down with a thread wrap or two
Tie in your 1st set of rubber legs
Continue wrapping your chenille forward on the Wet Skunk, about 3 more wraps
Repeat the rubber leg step and wrap your chenille forward
Whip finish and trim your chenille. Your Wet Skunk is almost finished!
Trim your rubber legs to the desired length, and your Wet Skunk is ready to fish.