Cactus Wooly Sculpin

The Cactus Wooly Sculpin, designed by legendary streamer innovator Kelly Galloup, emerged from his relentless pursuit to imitate the erratic swimming patterns and profile of sculpins, a common baitfish in trout-rich waters. This fly combines the bulky, tapered head and translucent body of a sculpin with the movement-enhancing properties of cactus chenille, giving it a lifelike shimmer and erratic movement underwater. First tied to target aggressive brown trout in Galloup’s home waters of Montana, it has since gained renown for its ability to draw strikes from predatory trout, bass, and even pike. Its unique profile allows it to ride hook-down, hugging the bottom like a natural sculpin, while remaining snag-resistant.

Sink-Then-Stall Strip Technique After casting, allow the Cactus Wooly Sculpin to sink fully to the riverbed. Use short, irregular strips punctuated with sudden pauses to mimic a sculpin freezing when startled. Trout will often strike as the fly stalls mid-retrieve, interpreting the movement as a moment of vulnerability.