Red fox squirrel or red squirrel?
Hey all,
I often hear people refer to using "red fox squirrel"tail. I live in Rhode Island, and we have what we call "red squirrels". Are these the same animals? I looked it up, but it didn't seem like there were two species of animals. If they are, should I grab the whole beastie if I find a recent road kill? What would I use it for?
I have a "red squirrel" tail in my freezer now (don't tell my wife... it's in the back!). Any suggestions for flies?
Thanks!
Hugh
Squirrel tail is slippery stuff and can be a b.tch to tie with but it makes great streamer wings. Also used it for the tail on a Pepperoni Yuk Bug:
Regards,
Scott
Last edited by ScottP; 02-14-2012 at 09:54 PM.
Hugh,
I use the belly and back hair from this guy Sciurus_niger_(on_fence).jpg (it's known as a fox squirrel " {Sciurus_niger} to tie these Red Fox Squirrel Nymph. In my neck o' the woods, this critter is slightly larger than a grey squirrel. Of course, there are many other uses for the fox squirrel body and tail hair...For instance, I use the tail hair for the claws on a Crayfish crayfish.jpg, for a Michigan Wiggler Michigan Wiggler.jpg, and various crawler patterns. I also use it to tie the wing on a Picket Pin streamer (or is it a wet fly?)
Last edited by PRM; 02-14-2012 at 09:19 PM.
Whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you're probably right.
--Author unknown
Where I hunt a red squirrel is different from a fox squirrel. Red squirrels are smaller and 10x more annoying than grey squirrels, and they aren't good eating. I wish they were because I just don't like to shoot something I don't plan to eat, even if they are annoy little beasties, and their color is beautiful for tying.
A right emblem it may be, of the uncertain things of this world; that when men have sold them selves for them, they vanish into smoke. ~ William Bradford
I finally realized that Life is a metaphor for Fly Fishing.
Yep, the critter we have in RI is smaller than a grey squirrel. It makes an odd noise that sounds almost like a metallic grinding. Assuming they're the same animal Dave is talking about, what do you tie with them, and which body parts?
The red squirrel we get in RI prodominately live in pine trees and range throughout New England. The fox squirrel that I have seen in Virginia are gray and twice the size of an average gray squirrel and live mostly here in the south. I could be wrong about their range but size is correct
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