Red Fox Squirrel Nymph 2-12-12

[Kelly L.]

[Hans Weilenmann]

Hi Kelly,

Nice one

Perhaps of interest to you, here is one I was given by Dave Whitlock (with apologies for the ancient, pretty crummy photo):



Cheers,
Hans W

[Kelly L.]

Hans, thanks for showing that off! I plan to do a few of his variations. The one I did on the 12th was a standard Red Fox Squirrel Nymph. I was in a nymph tie-a-long, so I had to do some Prince Nymphs. But I will be back to the RFSN now. This happens to be one of my favorite flies, and now I can actually make some, since I have the materials to do it with now. You will be seeing more of these. I hope I don't bore people with them. But I hope to get this pattern RIGHT.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Kelly,

I think you made an excellent start. One suggestion I do have is to cut down on the amount of tailing material so it does start to resemble a tail and not an extended abdomen. You can easily drop down to a quarter, or less, of the amount you used. This will in turn also reduce the bulk of the abdomen. See how nicely Dave tapered the abdomen on his sample?

Cheers,
Hans W

[Kelly L.]

Thanks. Yes, I see it. There is taper in my fly, but I picked out the dubbing to make it extra buggy. I will cut down on the width of the tail, and see how that works, thanks. I will see what I can do about tapering more, or at least making it be seen more.

[willowhead]

i like it very much Kelly.....albeit Hans is (deaad) right especially if and when you might be thinking specific hatch matching. Far as i know (which aint much), the RFSN is not hatch specific. So i would say that your version may just work better at certain times as opposed to other times.....but that's not a big deal, it will work, very well. And the over-all form is nice.....you can't expect to compete with a guy like Whitlock with your first few tyes of any certain pattern. But since you have all the drive it takes.....you will reach his level within a few years in terms of execution. Design is another matter.....for all of us. But if you pursue it, you'll accomplish that as well. i have no doubts of that. Guys like Dave have such a huge advantage because they can afford to travel and study the bugs allllllll over. But no matter, your a fast learner and very dedicated.....so your going to find such great satisfaction from all your tying.

[Kelly L.]

Thank you Mark for your thoughts. Points well taken, and appreciated! I have some of the dubbing, and I made up a bunch more. I got a red fox squirrel skin, but there is barely ANY belly hair on it. A very kind soul here sent me a few things, and it had the dubbing Dave likes. I can make the thorax dubbing exactly the same color. (hard to tell them apart) His (Dave's) belly dubbing had a slight mustard color to it. I like mine a little closer to the color Feather Craft has, for the RFSN. I found a dubbing I like for the belly fur, and I mix in a little belly hair that I do have, and some antron. I like it very much. I am not sure....but, I think Feather Craft uses a fl orange antron sparkle to mix in with their belly fur package. I am pleased with my mixtures on hand. Now to get to the business of making these little gems. I wanted to start with the standard, and then change it up with some of Dave's variations of this fly. I can't wait to get started.

[William Anderson]

Perhaps of interest to you, here is one I was given by Dave Whitlock (with apologies for the ancient, pretty crummy photo):

Hans, what the hell is that? It's hard to tell from that pic. It's very cool to see this original.

Kelly, nice juicy tie. Otter is asking in the fishing section about fishing deep in late winter when his season opens. This would be a nice one to have. Great post.

w

[tie2fish]

I like it a lot too, Kelly. The profile reminds me of the "Casual Dress" nymph pattern that many folks find to be a killer, and I see no reason why yours shouldn't be as well.

[willowhead]

Exactly Bill, the Casual Dress is a perfect example. i LOVE that nymph. And for high stained water, Kelly fly should do very well. Although some lead or a substitute will most likely be needed, either in the dressing or on the leaded. Perhaos just a bead. Yeah, Kelly.....let's see one w/a gold bead, behind the hackle, Size 10.