How to Tie The Zoo Cougar Fly Pattern

May 06, 2022 · 3 min read

Learn how to tie the Zoo Cougar fly pattern including step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial, pictures, and much more. Improve your fly tying skills here.

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The Zoo Cougar is a classic sculpin imitation from the mind of legendary streamer junkie Kelly Galloup. The Zoo Cougar pushes a ton of water and is designed to entice big strikes from predatorial brown trout. The Zoo Cougar is tied without weights, so it is best to fish it on a sinking line. Get that strip set ready, and prepare to hold on tight!

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Step One

Fly-tying vise clamped on a silver-ribbed Cougar fly hook with metallic tinsel body against soft gray background

Begin the pattern by laying a thread base from below the hook’s eye to the bend.

Step Two

Golden-tan marabou-tailed Cougar fly pattern with silver wire rib and fuzzy tan body on a black hook in fly-tying vise

We are using marabou quills for the Zoo Cougar’s tail. Pick two plumes with similar characteristics, then stack them on the shank with the tips pointing towards the eye. Tie both feathers on near the hook’s point, then clip the forward-facing material.

Step Three

Tan marabou Cougar fly pattern with gold-tinsel segmented body clamped in vise for fly fishing

Add flash by securing two pieces of Flashabou on the shank’s side nearest you, then fold over to the opposite side and secure.

Step Four

Tan cougar fly with feather tail and pearl-silver body secured in vise, fly tying

We are moving onto the Zoo Cougar’s body with Flat Diamond Braid. Tie the material near the marabou stems and cover it with the thread, but leave the rear section exposed.

Step Five

Tan cougar hair tail and white thread-wrapped body on a long-shank hook held in vise, cougar fly for fly tying tutorial

Next, advance the uncovered portion of the Flat Diamond Braid up the shank with tight, overlaying wraps. Secure the material and clip the excess fibers near the marabou stems.

Step Six

White and tan bucktail streamer on hook in vise, slender Zoo Cougar fly pattern for fly fishing

Secure the calf tail on top of the shank and in front of the marabou plumes for the underwing.

Step Seven

Tan cougar hair streamer clamped in vise, soft beige fur tail on hook, cougar fly for fly tying tutorial

The mallard flank wing is crucial to the Zoo Cougar’s makeup and helps add to the sculpin profile. Tie on a feather by the tip, 70 percent up the shank. The feather should extend to where the tail ends.

Step Eight

Hands holding gold aluminum tube with tan cougar fur assembled for a tube fly, fly tying bench and vise blurred

We’re working with deer hair for the rest of the pattern. Before tying the fibers on for the wings, stack a large clump of hairs in the hair stacker to straighten out the tips.

Step Nine

Tan and olive deer-hair Cougar fly pattern with spiky deer-hair head and cream bucktail streamer for fly fishing

Now that the deer hair is prepped, tie the stack on the shank before the eye. Remember, we’re not spinning deer hair here, so be sure the fibers stay stacked, and the shank’s bottom side remains clean.

Step Ten

Tan and brown cougar fly with bucktail tail and trimmed deer-hair head on hook in vise, fly fishing

Neatly trim the forward-facing deer hairs with the scissors before moving on to the next section of deer hair.

Step Eleven

Olive-brown Cougar fly pattern with dense stacked natural hair head and tan tail clamped in vise, fly tying

Stack the next section of deer body hair over the first and rotate the fibers around the shank as you crank down with the thread.

Step Twelve

Golden-brown cougar fly pompom held between fingers in vise, dense fur hackle and visible fly-tying thread

Secure the final section of deer hair and spin the material around the shank as you tighten the thread.

Step Thirteen

Cougar fly pattern with dense brown spiky hair head and tan fur tail tied on hook in vise, fly fishing.

The tying portion is finished after pulling the deer hair back and completing a half-hitch followed by a whip finish in front of the fibers.

Step Fourteen

Zoo Cougar fly pattern with dense brown fur dubbing, tan feather tail and shiny hook held in vise and forceps for fly tying

Before the Zoo Cougar is ready to hit the water, trim the head with the scissors. Since Sculpin have a flat underbody, cut the bottom side completely, then blend the rest of the head into the shoulder.

Written by

Jared Robbins

Jared Robbins is a fly fishing expert at Trident Fly Fishing, where he brings a deep passion for the sport and an encyclopedic knowledge of gear to everything he does. An accomplished fly tier, Jared has walked anglers through patterns ranging from delicate trout nymphs to aggressive saltwater streamers. Whether he's chasing carp on a warm river flat, swinging mouse patterns for big browns after dark, or targeting tarpon and snook in the salt, Jared's diverse fishing experience means he can speak to just about any situation you'll find yourself in on the water.

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