Bodkin / Patterns

Fox Squirrel Nymph

Nymph · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook 2X-long nymph (Tiemco 5262), bead-head optional, 10-16
  • Thread orange or black 8/0 (70 denier)

Materials

  • Weight Lead-free round wire .015 (as needed)
  • Tail Red fox squirrel back guard hairs + underfur (small tuft)
  • Rib Small gold oval tinsel (1)
  • Abdomen Red fox squirrel belly fur mixed 50/50 with fox-tan Antron/SLF (as needed)
  • Thorax Darker fox squirrel back dubbing blend (as needed)
  • Collar Speckled brown hen saddle (soft hackle) (1)

How to tie it

  1. Optionally slide on a bead, then wrap a base of.015 lead-free wire over the thorax area for weight and lay a thread foundation.
  2. Tie in a small tuft of red fox squirrel back guard hairs and underfur for the tail, about half a shank length long.
  3. Tie in the gold oval tinsel rib at the bend.
  4. Dub a slim tapered abdomen of the fox-tan squirrel/Antron blend over the rear two-thirds of the shank.
  5. Counter-wrap the gold rib forward in 4-5 evenly spaced turns and tie off.
  6. Dub a fuller, darker thorax of the squirrel-back blend for contrast, leaving room behind the eye.
  7. Tie in a speckled brown hen hackle and take 1-2 turns as a soft-hackle collar, sweep the fibers back, whip finish.

Tying videos

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