Q. for Leonard

[KATroutman13]

Forget night time, that would be a really good fly during the day, if used the right way.

[Okieflyfisher53]

web,

The fly that you posted from FAOL is one of mine. I have caught several species of fish with it, as have others who have tried it. I have found it to be a good smallmouth bass fly as well as a good trout fly. As Leonard hinted at, you can palmer the pine-squirrel zonker strip in front rather than using hackle, ala the "Slump-Buster", but I prefer the soft-hackle collar. I tie them in olive and brown and have done well with both, depending on conditions. If you have any questions about tying it, you can email me at stevec53@cox.net.

Steve

[WebFreeman]

Sorry, Steve, I missed your post. That's a good looking fly and I'm going to try as soon as I get some squirrel. I think I'll tell my wife it's synthetic, though. She'd have a pet squirrel if she could.

Does the bead provide enough weight or do you add shot when you fish it?

[Terry Beeson]

Naw... Just tell her Wapsi has developed a technique for getting squirrel strips without harming the squirrels. Then tell her Wapsi has put 5,000 out of work squirrels on the payroll...

[WebFreeman]

I bet that's done a lot for the economy of northern Arkansas. I've heard unemployment in squirrels was much higher that other rodent populations.....

[Okieflyfisher53]

web,

I use tungsten beads, so they are heavy enough without adding split shot.

Steve

[Terry Beeson]

Depends on the size and how you want to fish it... But, in general, yes... I use a brass bead and it takes it down just right for Taney...

[Danoinark]

Leonard, et al

You know I am having a heck of a time trying to wrap or palmer that pine squirrel up the shank. I have gthe zonker strips. JoRob suggested that crosscut strips would be easier to wrap. I think maybe that is my problem. Is that what you guys are using? Something is just not geling with me on tying this fly.

Dano

[Flysmallie]

Dano, I have the whole skin that I got at BCO. I have not had any problem tying them. To me they seem real quick and easy. Making the first turn from the rear tie in point is sometimes a little tricky for me, it wants to slip around the hook, but I bet a little super glue would solve that.

This is a great little fly that I am very thankful for Leonard getting me hooked on earlier this year. I was able to salvage a trip to Roaring River earlier this week by tying one on. I took my 8 & 13 year old daughters down there to catch their first trout and first fish on a fly rod. We tried many things with very little success. When they got bored I whipped out the pine squirrel and told them to give me a minute before we left. My 8 year old had the chance to land 3 fish in the 12 to 14 inch range. She struggled handling the fish on a fly rod but got the hang of it pretty quickly. My oldest was very bored and was sitting on the bridge by the park store. I walked down to the last hole before the bridge and started talking to her while I fished. I caught one at the top of the hole and impressed some young boys who I think were having trouble catching fish since she was there watching them. I walked down closer to the bridge and was casting and talking to her when I saw a fish turn on the squirrel. I set the hook, felt the fish and then hollered at her. She ran over and grabbed the rod. As I handed her the rod I turned to look at the fish. I could tell that it was a nicer fish and I also noticed something else odd. The rod tip was over my right shoulder and it looked like she was shaking the rod. I turned to look at my daughter and she was doing her best to hang on to the rod behind the reel . I showed her to hold it by the cork grip in front and the battle continued. She drew quite a crowd and was pretty proud when she finally landed her first trout. Plus it was a nice fish. Probably an 18 inch fish with one of the fattest bellies I have seen on a trout. I tried to get her to hold it so I could take a picture but she wasn't having any of that!! She was just happy that she showed those boys a thing or two about catching fish.

[Don]

Guys,

When I go to the bench, I'm not one to tie a multitude of patterns I've just learned or feel I really need. My objective is creativity and out of the box stuff. That's how I came up with the Eggs Bodacious. For example, last night I tied a rabbit sculpin/leech pattern in all orange rabbit strips. I also tied an all orange wooly bugger, marabou, dubbing body, and hackle all in bright orange (white bass are also in mind).

Dano, I experienced the same difficulties and ruined some rabbit because of the super glue. My fix to that problem; focus and try harder. The second effort turned out really good.

Ronnie, I love the report about your girls. I have three daughters myself. They don't like to fish Roaring River because fish are "too hard to catch." They would rather play in the wading area and catch sculpins.

One reason is that my oldest,14 year old Lisa, has made sevaral trips to Taney with me in the last two years and has done well. I can't wait to take her again. Way to go Ronnie.

Don