Fly of the Month

Bob Ireton brings together his experience in fly fishing, aquatic entomology, and knowledge of fly tying techniques and materials, to design and tie durable and effective flies.


   Volume 2,  Issue 10                                                                 October  2001

RED FOX SQUIRREL HAIR NYMPH
By Bob Ireton
Pictures by Tom Jones & Jorge Villares

This is a suggestive nymph pattern using mostly the body hair of the red fox squirrel. It is very effective in many locations and types of water. Works well for trout, bass, panfish, and a variety of other species of fish. It is tied 'in-the-round' to look the same from any angle. Can be tied on different size and styles of hook to imitate a wide variety of food organisms.

The best way to fish this fly is up and across, dead drift, through riffles and runs. A 3-5 wt. WF-F line is a good choice, being mindful to keep a natural drift by mending, etc., as needed.

I recommend everyone keep a supply of this fly tied in different sizes and styles in their fly box. I am looking forward to using this fly on the Nantahala this spring.

MATERIALS

Hook TMC 5262, Daiichi 1710, Orvis 1524, or Mustad 9671
Size 4-16
Thread Orange or black 6/0 for size 12 and larger, 8/0 for size 14 and smaller
Weight Lead or lead-free wire, diameter of hook wire
Tail Red fox squirrel back hair
Ribbing Gold tinsel or pearl gold flashabou
Abdomen Red fox squirrel belly hair and matching antron, mixed 50-50
Thorax Red fox squirrel back hair and matching antron, mixed 50-50
Legs Soft hackle to match

TYING STEPS

1 - Secure hook properly in vice, pinch down barb if desired. Tie in thread one hook-eye space behind eye of hook, and lay on thread base rearward to above barb. Half-hitch. If tying a weighted nymph, add lead wire now. Build a thread ramp on each side of lead wraps. Coat lead wire with head cement.
2 - Tie in squirrel back hair for tail, extending hair from point above barb rearward 1/2 to 2/3 length of hook shank.

3 - Tie in a piece of small gold tinsel at tail tie-in location, with loose end extending rearward.

  

 

 

4 - Dub in the abdomen 2/3 length of hook shank. Half hitch.

5 - Palmer gold tinsel forward, giving abdomen a segmented look. Tie off tinsel, trim excess, and half-hitch.

  

 

 

6 - Dub in the thorax, leaving room for the soft hackle. Half hitch.

7 - Prepare proper size soft hackle, tie in, and wrap one complete turn. Tie off, and trim excess. Half hitch.

  

 

 
8 - Form a head, half hitch, whip finish, and cut off thread. Add head cement.

 

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