Tying the ShapeShifter Sculpin // w. Joe Rotter

The ShapeShifter Sculpin is Joe Rotter’s go-to creation—a 4.6mm bead-head streamer built for versatility. Designed to adapt to a wide range of fishing styles, this pattern excels at imitating the sculpins and baitfish trout love to crush. Whether you’re swinging, stripping, or dead-drifting, the ShapeShifter brings movement, weight, and adaptability to your fly box, making it a must-have for anglers chasing big, opportunistic fish.

Materials Needed:

To tie the ShapeShifter, you'll need the following:

• Hook: Size 8 Umpqua X Series Jig-60 XT 500 

• Bead: Umpqua Tungsten Slotted 4.6 MM in Black Nickel 

• Thread: Veevus 6/0 black thread

• Body: Red's Fly Shop Pine Squirrel Zonker (Std.) in Sculpin Oliver, Veevus Mini Flat Braid in Champagne

• Head: Fish Hunter Collaring Schlappen in Sculpin Oliver 

🌀 Want to see it in action? Watch the video above and follow along as we break down each step of the tie.

Grab the Bundle or Build Your Own

You can purchase the ShapeShifter for a one-and-done grab-all, or shop our store for individual materials if you're already stocked on a few essentials. Either way, we’ve got you covered.

[Shop the Bundle]
[Shop Fly Tying Materials]

Meet Our Tying Team:

Joe Rotter has been guiding and teaching fly fishing for more than two decades and is a cornerstone of Red’s Fly Shop. A passionate angler, fly tyer, and instructor, Joe is known for his patience, humor, and ability to make every trip feel like both a masterclass and an adventure. Whether he’s teaching casting fundamentals, chasing wild trout on dry flies, or sharing stories on the water, Joe’s genuine love for the sport shines through. Beyond the shop, he’s a devoted husband and father, an avid outdoorsman and hunter, and someone who believes the best adventures often start in your own backyard.