Double Squirrel Nymph

Double Squirrel Nymph

The double squirrel nymph has become a staple in my trout and steelhead boxes over the past few years. This little nymph is simple, and not groundbreaking by any means, but it works and its fun to tie. I started off tying this fly about 5 years ago because I was tired of my hare’s ear nymphs not being as buggy as I wanted them to be. So, I switched over to using SLF Squirrel dubbing instead of the traditional hare’s ear dubbing. After I reached the bugginess I wanted I decided to make it simpler and tie it without a wing case and change the collar color to dark brown to give it some contrast. This tying style is also referred to as “tying in the round”, no wing cases or legs, just a simple nymph profile. The I got a little wild and added two hot spots, yup TWO, and that is ultimately how this bug got its name. Double Hot spots and tied out of squirrel dubbing, the “Double Squirrel”. 

It is a great prospecting nymph if there isn’t much going on, it’s simple design and profile can mimic most mayfly nymphs just by changing the hook size. 

The main sizes that I fish are 14s and 16s, but if the water is higher or off color, I will jump up to a size 12, I hopes that it will show up better and get a trout’s attention. On the other side of that, if the water is low and clear, I will drop down to a size 18 if needed.

Last year I started fishing them for great lakes and south east Alaskan steelhead, they definitely didn’t stick their noses up at them. For steelhead the pink hot spot variation has seemed to get the most interest. I will tie them up to a size 10 for steelhead and typically not go much smaller than a 14. 

It is a great year-round fly and has caught fish from Maine to South America.

Double Squirrel:

Hook: TMC C200BL 12-16

Thread: Veevus 8/0 – Fl. Fire Orange 

Bead: Tungsten – Black Nickle 

Tail: CDL Fibers – Black Speckled Corzuno

Rib: Tinsel sz. Small – Opal 

Body: SLF Squirrel Dubbing – Natural Fox 

Collar: SLF Squirrel Dubbing – Dark Brown 

Hook Variations:

Hook: TMC C450BL 12-16

Hook: Partridge SLJ 12-18

Hook: Ahrex FW551 14-10

Bead: Slotted Tungsten Bead – Black Nickel

 Color Variations:

Thread Color: Fl. Chartreuse, Fl. Orange, Fl. Pink 

Water Connectivity - Bass'n

Well, not totally sure where the month of June went but here we are in the middle of July. Fishing has been great when the water and rain have cooperated with us. June was a great month for both bass and trout, however we did have to get a little creative with some of the high flows. This pushed us to put drift boats in places they shouldn't and use all our time spent of the water to our advantage. July can be a fickle month with weather as well, and we have been battling high water most of the month. With August right around the corner, I'm hoping to see more consistent water levels and some clear water. I know in September I'll be complaining about low water, but such is life.

A Few Days With Clients

Spending most of your free time on the water with clients or even by yourself, you meet all kinds of people. Some that you would like to toss in the river, or just can't wait for the day to be over. Others are on the opposite side of the spectrum, ones that are a joy to be around, and listen to every instruction perfectly. This past week was filled with plenty of clients that I can't wait to fish with again. One couple, Tom and Barb are in the beginning of a 2 year road trip fishing the top 100 trout streams in the US. Part of their journey has them interviewing all the guides that show them a good time on the water. Bellow is a video interview I did with them.

Interview with Jake

Onto the fishing report, Caddis are everywhere. Take lots of dry flies, but remember that fish may not always be rising to flies floating on the surface. This means you should have an ample amount of nymphs and emergers as well. The Yellow Breeches and The Tulpehocken Creek are full of fish looking for caddis. Head out today and find your pod of fish.