Whitlock's Red Fox Squirrel-Hair Nymph - Dressed Irons

[@hirkojs]

Excellent video as usual Ian ! Watching this today falls right into line with my reading of Dave Whitlock’s Book “Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods”. I especially liked you quoting his recommendation of using weighted wire the diameter of the hook you’re using. As a new tier, I thoroughly enjoy how detailed your explanations are of how & why you’re applying the materials. Mega Thx !!!

[@DressedIrons]

You are VERY welcome. Your feedback is very much appreciated. Mr. Whitlock contributed so much to fly fishing and fly tying, he is greatly missed. I enjoy reading and researching what others have done before me and enjoy even more sharing what I discover. After all, sharing and helping one another is what it is all about! - Ian Anderson

[@terryllmonroe6903]

Never have I seen a soft hackled wet fly, flymph as it's called, tied with lead or non lead wire. Either way, I'm sure it works great. I love Whitlock's dubbing and use it quite often when I want to sub it for a more natural looking dubbing. I believe the sparkle from Whitlock's is an attractor when the sun is shining bright. I like the body shape you put into it because it makes a good profile of the fly. I also want to say that since I found your videos, I watch your videos every evening and every one has helped me become a better tyer. Thank you very much for sharing what you do. I'm an older man who has a learning disability because I can't retain a lot of things unless I keep doing them, and I got into tying a few years ago and I find your skill and detailed instructions a wonderful help to me. Thank you.

[@DressedIrons]

Terryll, I am glad you like this video. Those are very kind words for you to say and it makes me smile knowing the tying videos are helping you in your fly tying. Believe it or not, I too like to just sit and watch fly tiers sometimes. Other people who tie different flies, tie better than I do or just have different skills. It is all fun to watch and learn. Not many fly tiers know the term "flymph" and where it comes from. You definitely have done some reading! The Red Fox Squirrel -Hair nymph also fishes well with rubber legs and a bead head on it. Thanks again for your comment and you are most welcome for the videos! - Ian Anderson

[@CatfishWeekly]

That is an awesome fly right there

[@DressedIrons]

Thank you, it is a staple in trout and panfish circles! - Ian Anderson

[@jamesvatter5729]

Nice job with the explanation. This is definitely a good one to have in the box. 12s and 14s work for me.

[@DressedIrons]

Those are the sizes that I like to have. Thanks for the compliment. - Ian Anderson

[@mountaincreekfliesjimmy8386]

Awesome lesson thank you sir

[@DressedIrons]

You are welcome, I am glad you liked it. - Ian Anderson

[@ColinD0131]

Hello ever tried a casual dress? I tie mine with a ice dubbing head instead of the black ostrich

[@DressedIrons]

Colin, I have heard of the Casual Dress Nymph but have not tied any yet. That said, I am interested in tying some. Did a "google" search and am impressed with the simplicity of the fly and how easily it can be changed (color and/or materials) to meet many different needs or preferences. I like the idea of the ice dub instead of the black Ostrich. I will add this one to my list and see about getting a video done later this year. Thanks for the info!

[@schmoonkie]

Nicely presented. I've ordered the materials to tie it. Your version looks a lot like Dave's, which is what I wanted.

[@DressedIrons]

Thank you for the feedback. Initially, I try to tie a particular pattern as close to the original as I can get. Sometimes, certain hooks and material are no longer available and one is forced to substitute other things. However, this fly is almost all Red Fox Squirrel which is not in short supply. Glad it helps.

[@schmoonkie]

@@DressedIrons Some years ago I corresponded with a cookbook author about one of her recipes. She told me that a recipe was meant as a guidance and was not meant to be followed strictly. For example, one could substitute ingredients with similar ones. I'm pretty convinced that it's the same with fly tying. For example, I've tied the Frenchie using pheasant tail ( the original material ), then I tied it with Veevus Body Quill BQ08, and then with Pheasant Ice Dub. They all worked pretty much the same on the Madison River for me last year. If your version of the fly looks a little different from Dave's, I doubt that the fish would care. Thanks again.

[@DressedIrons]

@@schmoonkie You are absolutely correct!! That said, when I teach a fly or produce a video, I like to research and try to make the fly as close to the original as I can. The only reason for this is that every fly gets changed as it is "passed along" to a new tier and then another new tier and then another and so on and so on... It is more of a personal thing for me to want to record/teach how it was created (and sometimes we don't even have that information). That certainly does not mean that is the only way to make the fly or the only "version" that will catch fish. I just look at it as understanding what the original author was trying to do with the fly will help other understand how to substitute materials. If you look at some of the classic Atlantic Salmon patterns from the late 1800 and early 1900 you find they were created with materials you can't even get anymore, at least not legally. But if you understand why they chose that material you will understand what is in the modern world that can be used. Not to mention plane old fashioned "let's try it and see what happens"! The Green Butt Skunk is a perfect example. Take a proven pattern and add a little bright color and BAM, now you have an even better fly. That is what draws me to fly tying... the rich history and the endless innovation. Thanks for the dialog!

[@ghislaindesrosiers8074]

woodchuck for tail?looks like that....

[@DressedIrons]

The tail is actually guard hairs and underfur from the Red Fox Squirrel. Everything in this nymph is from the skin of a Red Fox Squirrel except the hackle and the ribbing. - Ian Anderson