RED FOX SQUIRREL TAIL NYMPH

SUBMITTED BY: James Whalen

Fly Tied by James Whalen
 Photo taken by Ruben Breitkreutz
 

FISHING METHOD:  Floating line: Use a long 10 -16 Ft leader. Use the count down method to get the fly just off the bottom. Use a slow to fast retrieve (4 - 8 inch steady strips) with several quick 2 - 3 inch pulls every 30 - 40 seconds. Use the same retrieve for sinking lines but shorten the leader to 4 - 6 ft.
 

Hook

Teck Twin NF 200 size 2-18

Thread

6/0 or 8/0 tan

Bead

Optional

Tail

Red Fox Squirrel back guard hairs

Ribbing

Fine gold oval tinsel or Pearl crystal flash

Body

Red Fox Squirrel belly hair and tan Antron - 50/50

Legs

Optional (4 Rubber Legs – 2 on each side)

Thorax

RF Squirrel back hair and dark brown Antron – 50/50

Hackle

Dark Brown Partridge (2 or 3 turns)


TYING NOTES:

  1. First pinch your barb, and then lay a thread base down.
     

  2. Tie is 10-15 Red Fox Squirrel back guard hairs for the tail.
     

  3. Tie in your ribbing material and advance the thread 2/3 up the hook shank.
     

  4. Mix tan Antron with Red Fox Squirrel belly hair and dub the Abdomen; tapering the   body thicker toward the thorax.
     

  5. Counter-wind the rib up the Abdomen and tie off.
     

  6. Mix dark brown Antron with Red Fox Squirrel back hair and dub the thorax.
     

  7. Tie in and wind the hackle. Build the head to size (1/4 inch in length), whip finish the head.
     

  8. Tie off the hackle and build a small neat head.
     

  9. Whip-finish and cement the head.

Dave Whitlock the pattern originator has came up with Dave Whitlock Plus SLF dubbing #1 & #2 to make tying this fly a little easier. It’s a great searching and trolling pattern.