Page 1 of 2

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:33 pm
by wsbailey
The squirrel fur in "Brook and River Trouting" is from red squirrels.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_squirrel

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 2:50 pm
by Greenwell
The English Red Squirrel supplies the traditional fur as stipulated in B&RT. The introduced North American Grey Squirrel is displacing the native animal and is making the Red squirrel a rarity. The pictured skin looks like a NA Red Fox Squirrel.

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:27 am
by Smuggler
Right on with what these guys said. Nevertheless, you'll be able to make some killer MB flymphs with some of the back fur and the tawny brown flank fur mixed together.

General HE nymph's too!

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:42 am
by tie2fish
Smuggler wrote:Right on with what these guys said. Nevertheless, you'll be able to make some killer MB flymphs with some of the back fur and the tawny brown flank fur mixed together.

General HE nymph's too!
Plus Dave Whitlock's gems.

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 9:03 am
by Old Hat
Well done!

I love fox squirrel for dubbing. As mentioned it is especially good for March Brown patterns.

Gauging the right amount of dubbing and length of thread to dub as well as building the strands is an art in itself. There are even subtle differences in how the dubbing will appear dependent on what the medium is you use under the strand when you build it. You put paper under it. That will look different than if you just used your pant leg or a wood block. I don't think it makes a difference, just it can make subtle changes. A base with more texture or "grab" will cause the dubbing to mat a bit more and I think makes it easier to build that cigar shape to the body.

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:47 am
by Smuggler
Looks good to me!

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:47 pm
by tie2fish
Talk about "buggy" !! I'll be very surprised if that doesn't catch, John. Nice job.

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:23 pm
by Smuggler
Ray taught me, and some other a good way to gauge silk length for a body. He takes the spool and makes one wrap length wise around a standard dubbing block and cuts it. That doubled over makes a fairly good length to tie 1-1 flymphs in a 14-16 size range I find.

Ray, maybe you posted something here on this technique?

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:12 pm
by letumgo
Eric - Here is a tutorial where I showed my method of making uniform strands of silk for spun bodies, with minimal waste.

Tutorial Link: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7075

Re: Fox Squirrel patterns

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 5:22 pm
by letumgo
Mark Libertone used to use a piece of art board (Black on one side/white on the other). All roads lead to Rome. The important part is to enjoy the trip. :D ;)