Trying to tie a spring wiggler and it calls for squirrel tail for the wingcase. Is there anything similar that I can substitute? Ohiotuber was kind enough to send me a bunch of materials, no suirrel but, somethings that look similar…not sure what squirrel tails properties are never worked with it before.
Janus
Squirrel tail should be pretty easy to come by - most flyshops carry it, and there’s plenty of places to order it on-line. Unless you have something like fox or coyote, I’d stick with the squirrel.
Regards,
Scott
Put some gardening shears in your car
You’ll have some squirrel tail before you know it.
Janus,
Slide the window open slowly, move the 22 barrel out the opening carefully, take two deep breaths, hold your breath and squeeze the trigger slowly. Serious squirrel is pretty easy to obtain on way or another. Or, substitute any hair that you have, bucktail, calf tail or whatever. The fish don’t care! 8T 
i imagine squirrel would be cheaper and easier to come by then any substitute. if nothing else, just get a bb gun and knock em off youre birdfeeder/tree when you get the chance.
I would think that the brown center hairs from a natural bucktail though the color would not be right, would do in a pinch. Depending on the size of fly you are using, rabbit guard hairs for the tail, and turkey tail for the back might work too.
Squirrel tail hair has a nice mixed colour and is “slippery” and very durable. There’s no substitute and one of the few naturals that I consider a honorary synthetic.
Thanks next squirrel I see I’ll politely ask him if I can have his tail. Although Kent State smuggled in black squirrels in the 60’s hmmm.
http://www.victoria-park.com/ksu.htm
A variation on the Spring’s wiggler (originated by Ron Springs of Muskegon Mi but usually miscalled spring wiggler) I have used in the past is to use a zonker strip instead of the squirrel tail. Tie in a piece of wire before the chenille and spiral it forward over the zonker strip binding down the hair to produce a flat shellback. I feel that the fur strip tail has more action than the original pattern
Darn! I really thought I threw a squirrel tail in there. Sorry!!..If you can wait until 3/29, I’ll see what I can find.
Mike
Woodchuck, Would make a great sub…also Badger,Lynx,Fitch Tail…There are many that you may find…adaquiate.
I may be missing something here, but there must be a fly shop in Cleveland that carries squirrel tails. It’s one of the more common materials in any shop I’ve been in.
Regards,
Scott
Sorry… if I drive more than 12 miles in my 1992 chevy cavalier I run the risk of extreme overheating and general danger. A new car is coming soon but, until then I can’t go far. The closest to Cleveland would be Anglers Mail in Parma or a few shops in Sheffield. Unfortunately, they surpass my cars allowed distance. If I can run over a squirrel that is within a 3 mile radius I would be set…then I can spray hot coolant on his face.
I’ll try the zonker strip, thanks for that tip…
Tuber don’t worry about it you’ve been generous enough. I hope the weather turns nicer by the 29th.
Janus
I’m surprised Mikey forgot the tail, especially as “squirrely” as he is.
I have a bunch of tails from road kill, but I’m over in Mentor, which is way past the 12 mile limit.
Joe
Janus
My brother and I are right around the corner from you. If you send me your number I will call you the next time I / we go to get tying supplies and you can tell me / us what you need or go with us.
Sean
Guys thanks. I’m getting this car situation taken care of about to sign the next 5yrs of our financial lives on a Honda Oddesey. I’m going to miss the Cavalier it was like driving in a warm cocoon made of garbage. I appreciate the offers I’ll get out to a place soon.
Janus
…ain’t no substitute for the real thing!
Nam, That must be the world record Fox Squirrel you got there!
LMAO!! THAT is one great picture.
Mike