How to Tie Steelhead Sucker Spawns

The steelhead sucker spawn is a simple fly pattern tied to imitate the eggs and spawn of suckers. Popular among Great Lakes region steelhead anglers, the fly is also effective for trout and salmon. Tying the sucker spawn requires only basic fly-tying skills. Tyers use a variety of different materials for this fly, but egg or leech yarn is common and effective. The sucker spawn is not an active fly, and anglers typically dead-drift it through deep river channels.

Things You'll Need

  • Vise
  • Curved shank hook #8-10
  • 3/0 cream thread
  • Flash
  • Pink, cream, red or orange egg yarn
  • Whip finisher
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the hook in the vise and clamp the jaws on the lower portion of the hook bend. Start the thread at the eye of the hook and wrap it to the hook bend.

    • 2

      Hold two flash fibers on top of the shank with the ends extending at least 4 inches past the bend. Make six firm thread wraps to secure the fibers on the hook.

    • 3

      Cut a 2-foot long section of egg yarn. Use your fingers to separate the yarn into two even strands and pull the strands apart. Set one strand to the side.

    • 4

      Hold one end of the yarn on the hook bend. Make 10 firm thread wraps to secure the yarn. Make four thread wraps down the hook shank.

    • 5

      Fold the yarn over the hook shank to create a small loop between the hook bend and the thread. Pinch the yarn against the hook to hold the loop. Make four firm thread wraps to secure the loop. Make four thread wraps down the hook shank and repeat the process to form a second loop. Continue advancing the thread and securing loops until you reach the eye of the hook.

    • 6

      Use a whip finishing tool to tie 10 half-hitch knots at the eye of the hook. Cut the thread flush to the knots to separate it from the hook.