Ingredients

1. Mustad 94833 size 12
2. Brown 6/0 tying thread
3. Bead chain eyes small
4. Squirrel tail
5. CA Glue

Video Instructions link

Discussion:  If you’ve ever used squirrel hair for a fly you know how slippery this material is.   It has great action in the water on small flies but keeping it on the hook can prove to be a challenge that most prefer not to tackle.   This small fly has worked well for me in the early part of the year, January through March, when the fish don’t like to move much, but a small minnow imitator is just irresistible.  Through this out on a 3-5 wt rod and work it slowly.  I’ve been known to use it from my “belly-boat” for that “next to no movement” retrieve. 

Later in the year, fish it as you would any minnow patter, retrieving it through all the weeds and slop in those little holes in the weeds.  It sinks well, na dhas a great action.  In Toledo Bend, I’ve limited out on crappie doing a slow troll behind a belly boat.  Flip it out, retrieve slowly for 10 feet,  move 5 feet down the shoreline and repeat until fish are found.

This is my winter “go-to” fly.

1.  The hook in the vice.