Dave Whitlock's red fox squirrel nymph is a good pattern that uses the fur cut from the hide, so no softening of the leather is required. Google will get you lots of recipes.

Your squirrel tails are good for wings on larger wet flies. Picket Pin is a good fly for a variety of species. I think there is a recipe on this site somewhere, maybe in Old Flies. I landed a 32 inch salmon on a large picket pin.

John