Custom squirrel / CDC / flash dubbing blend (a 3 inch dubbing loop plus a pinch for the collar)
How to tie it
Set the size 16 Jig Force hook with a 3.5mm tungsten drop bead, run a few wraps of 0.010 lead on the shank and jam them into the bead to seat it. Start olive 70 behind the lead and bind it in place.
Cut two strands of fluorescent fire orange Glo Brite and double them over for the tail. On a 16 that gives the right bulk. Drop to one strand doubled for an 18 or 20.
Tie gold brassy Ultra Wire in on the far side of the hook, starting the tie-in right behind the lead wraps. Beginning every material at the same point is what keeps the underbody taper even.
Spin a slender three-inch dubbing loop of the squirrel, CDC and flash blend and wrap it forward to behind the bead, adding a touch extra to fill the gap at the front.
Rib with open spiral wraps of the wire up to the bead, secure it and helicopter it off. Only now trim the tail to length. It is easier to judge against a finished body.
Brush the body out hard so the guard hairs and CDC stand up. This step is what turns a plain dubbed nymph into a buggy, sticky-looking one, and it has to happen before the collar goes on.
Finish with a split thread collar: flatten the thread, split it, insert a straightened clump of the same blend, spread it evenly, cord it back up and take a couple of wraps. Whip finish, then brush once more to release any trapped fibers.