Pine Squirrel Flymph

[William Anderson]

For some time I've been spinning dubbing blends on white silk (ever since the orphan nymphs swap where a Pale Watery recipe called for white silk). The only flies that I can think of - pre spun body using white silk- that I've fished with/caught fish on are a mix of brighter green dubbings for a hatching Grannom flymph, but this one turned out nice. The prespun blend of the darker wax on the white silk melds with the pine squirrel underbody and guard hair mix. What I like about this pattern is the mushroom toned buttonhole twist rib. For all the complimentary tones in the pics, there is actually more contrast in the fly in the hand when wet.

Pine Squirrel Flymph



Note that of all the flies I've ever tied, trying to tie a Hidy style head, I finally managed a few. Sadly, I haven't seen this result since.

[tie2fish]

That is simply lovely, William.

[gingerdun]

William,
Another interesting post. You got me thinking more about using thread for ribs. I know that wire and tinsel ribs work, but am curious about whether thread ribs are equally effective. Time for more field work.

Those cone-shaped heads are impressive.

L

[William Anderson]

Thanks fellas. These in a couple values would be handy.
I did have to retire a fly with a single stand of pearsalls silk rib after a few chewings., or rather fished it for a bit without the rib before changing flies. No evidence on its efficacy without the rib, which sounds silly.

[Smuggler]

Weird, I was just thinking about pine squirrel and how I need to get a skin. This seals the deal.

[Smuggler]

William,
Another interesting post. You got me thinking more about using thread for ribs. I know that wire and tinsel ribs work, but am curious about whether thread ribs are equally effective. Time for more field work.

Those cone-shaped heads are impressive.

L

I've used silk thread on midge patterns for ribbing with great results. Caught my biggest PA trout on a midge this year. I believe it was a sz 20 red midge with a brown rib and small black hen collar.

[William Anderson]

Eric, I've used silk ribbing with a lot of success myself, and in this case the silk is buttonhole, so it is a substantial amount of material to chew through. I don't mind at all if the rib comes undone after a fish or two. It would probably work well to use a wire rib, but I like the silk sometimes. I just do. Counter-wrapping the silk rib with a wire rib doesn't sound like something I would do, but would be effective, if you wanted. It would be another binding element that diminishes the dubbings liveliness. I wouldn't want that either. I'm rambling.

cheers.

w

[Smuggler]

It's cool, ramble on. I've never used buttonhole for ribbing, maybe I should. Usually I just double over a piece of waxed silk, give it a good twist and tie it in.

I should experiment with buttonhole.

[mkmury]

Is the tail & hackle the dyed brahma hen like your "pink buttonhole twist"?

[William Anderson]

Is the tail & hackle the dyed brahma hen like your "pink buttonhole twist"?

Sorry to just see this. No, the hackle here is an indian saddle, with nicely modeled barb and creamy tips. I have several of these cheep saddles. Sometimes they are difficult to wrap as they twist a bit, but if they are webby enough, it's worth the trouble.

w