Was thinking of the big fish moving up the Madison in the area of the Barns’ Pools. So, I tied my version of Dave Whitlock’s Red Fox Squirrel. This one is weighted with non-lead wire underneath.
I think Whitlock’s pattern, in different sizes, is one of the best “all-purpose” nymphs we have.
Do you know when this pattern was ‘developed’ by Mr. Whitlock?
I believe it was in the late 60’s. Why?
Do you like to know the history of flies?
Dave Whitlock says that he was influenced by Thom Green (an old friend of his) and, of course, Polly Rosborough who is famous for fuzzy nymphs.
Dave’s original Red-Fox Squirrel Nymph pattern is, according to him, the following:
Hook - Mustad 9671, sizes 4-18
Weight - 6-10 wraps of lead wire at thorax
Thread - black
Tail - Sparse tuft of red-fox squirrel back hair in 1/2 the length of hook shank
Rib - small oval tinsel
Abdomen - Red-fox squirrel belly fur
Thorax- Red-fox squirrel back fur
Wing Case- Dark brown swiss straw or turkey tail
Legs- Either guard hairs of red-fox squirrel back or one turn of dark partridge hackle.
Obviously, Dave has adjusted his pattern over the years. In later years, he mixed the squirrel hair (both belly and back) with antron.
I think the fact that he dropped the wing case later on is based on the theory presented by Charlie Brooks when he tied his “Montana Stone” which also did not have a wing case. Charlie’s theory is/was that, while drifting, the real nymph tumbles and exposes all sides of the insect. Thus, he tied his “in the round” with no “up” or “down” side…
Notice those smaller sizes… We’ve caught a ton of trout on 14’s and 16’s…