Hook: Daiichi 2220, #2-#4 Thread: MFC 6/0 or UTC 140, Brown Tag: Gold Mylar Tinsel Butt: Orange yarn Tail: Lime Crystal Flash Mixed with a Few Strands of Orange Polar Bear Hair Shellback: 3MM Brown Sheet Foam Body: Natural Deer Hair Legs: Orange Rubber Legs Beard: Orange guinea White Spot (Optional): Natural Deer Belly Hair
If you scan my Fly Patterns section on a regular basis you might recall my introducing steelhead guru Scott Howell and his innovative Squidro. The Ska-opper is another innovative creation from Scott Howell’s fly box aimed at enticing steelhead to the surface. After watching steelhead after steelhead crash traditional Styrofoam floats as they chugged and popped across the surface during the retrieve the die was cast in Scott’s mind. In Scott’s words, “It didn’t take too long before I was trying to match the dink float hatch.”
Scott’s initial efforts began with large popping intruders but it soon became apparent that he needed to downsize and redesign. The end result of Scott’s efforts is the Ska-opper. A fly designed not only to skate but to pop as well, luring steelhead from their lairs as the Ska-opper gurgles and darts over their living room.
While on the swing Scott twitches his rod, bringing the Ska-opper to life. The surface disturbance this popping technique creates is critical to the success of the fly. Presented correctly, the Ska-opper draws bold explosive strikes. Although designed with northern B.C. steelhead in mind the Ska-opper has proven its worth along many western North American rivers and streams for both winter and summer run steelhead.
All of the components blended within a Ska-opper are intended to float, skate or pop. In many instances the materials play multiple roles for all three pattern criteria. For a foundation Scott uses a size 2 or 4, 3XL or 4XL down eye streamer hook. In Scott’s experience smaller Ska-oppers work best. The body consists of tightly packed manicured deer body hair. Finished Ska-opper bodies should have a slender elongated oval shape trimmed flush top and bottom. Trimming the bottom portion clear ensures the hooking ability of the fly is not impeded. Round rubber legs, guinea hackle and a deer hair collar provides additional surface disturbance.
A Ska-opper body takes nine pencil diameter clumps of spun and clipped deer hair. After spinning each stack of deer hair it is important to pack it tight. Not only for maximum floatation but to avoid crowding the hook eye too. If you are planning to spin and trim deer hair on a consistent basis I recommend a stout pair of scissors or a flexible double edged razor blade. Coarse deer hair dulls fine scissors in short order.
Most flies are always in a state of flux. When the time constraints of guiding interfere with quality time at the tying bench Scott often substitutes a yarn body for the deer hair body as the foam shellback floats and pops the fly just fine.
When time is his ally, Scott still favors a natural deer hair body. Black or orange bodies with white round rubber legs are also work well. Don’t be afraid to experiment, as other color combinations may prove their worth on your favorite steelhead waters.
Scott also likes to add a small ventral spot of natural white deer belly hair at the front of the fly. When flaring the deer belly hair it is important not to let it spin around the shank. Hold it in place along the underside of the shank just back from the hook eye and use thread tension to flare it into position.
In addition to the slender spun and clipped deer hair body the Ska-opper features a buoyant shellback formed out of 3MM sheet foam. Scott begins with a hook gape wide slip of sheet foam to start. From there he trims the foam strip to a tapered somewhat triangular shape. The narrow end of the foam strip is tied in at the rear of the hook. Pulling the foam shellback over the top of the fly completes the fly. Build up the thread head underneath the remaining foam protruding forward of the hook eye to help prop the foam up. The remaining foam is trimmed to form a short lip in front of the fly. Don’t make the foam lip too long as this causes the fly to dive under. About ¼ of the body is fine.
The combination of the foam shellback and spun and clipped body creates a fly that floats like a cork. When swung under tension the foam bill pulls the fly back up to the surface helping the Ska-opper skate and pop, hence the fly’s name. No riffle hitches are required or recommended to bring the fly to life. Scott uses a loop knot when swinging his Ska-oppers under tension as he feels the fly rides true and subsequently fishes better.
The Ska-opper is a neat interesting fly. Besides placing a few in my steelhead box I think I might experiment with other colors and sizes for other species with aggressive top water tendencies.
Be sure to check out Scott's website for addtional information including his unique flies and materials.
For more information on Scott's Ska-opper please watch the following You Tube video.
Tying Instructions
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