Reece’s Squirrely Dragon

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Photo by Bob Reece

Photo by Bob Reece

By Bob Reece

I’m a little OCD and a lot routine based.

As soon as the liquid water in my area of the country turns to a solid, I turn to the vise.   The initial point of focus is to fill my still water boxes.  My first step in that journey is to start cranking out my Squirrely Dragons.

Dragon fly nymphs are a key element in the food webs of the still waters that I typically fish.  Their presence does not go unnoticed by the trout that call these places home.  Nor should they go unnoticed by you if they are found in your local lakes and ponds.

The life cycle of these often significantly sized predators spans multiple years.  As a result of this they are available to still water trout, in their nymph form, throughout the open water season.   Their size and color varies greatly among species and bodies of water.  Taking the time to turn over rocks, logs and floating vegetation will often produce specimens.  This can provide invaluable information that can subsequently be used to create accurate imitations.  In the lakes that I guide on, there are drastic variations in both body and eye coloration. By accurately matching these differences I’ve been able to increase the success of my clients.

The simplicity of this pattern lends itself to a quick creation.  The zonkered pine squirrel body and dubbing provide the mottled coloration frequently seen in dragon fly nymphs.  The pulsing underwater movement of this material mimics the contraction and expansion of the abdomen used by the natural to propel itself forward.  Legs constructed of MFC Sexi Floss add realistic movement.  Simultaneously, the plastic bead chain eyes imitate one of the most prominent traits seen in the naturals.

As we round the corner toward spring, follow the way of the dragon.  These supersized members of still water food webs should take their place in your box.  Adding Reece’s Squirrely Dragon to your arsenal will help you make the most of your on-the-water opportunities.

Watch these two videos and tie Reece’s Squirrely Dragon.

Tying Video, Traditional Body:

Tying Video, Foam Core:

To see more of Bob Reece’s tying videos click on the link below:

http://www.thinairangler.com/tying-videos

To explore the exclusive fly fishing opportunities of Horse Creek Ranch, Wyoming; click on the link below:

http://www.thinairangler.com/horse-creek-ranch-fly-fishing

To connect with Bob Reece as your personal fly tying and fishing coach, click on the link below:

http://www.thinairangler.com/fly-coach

Bob Reece
Gink & Gasoline
www.ginkandgasoline.com
hookups@ginkandgasoline.com
 https://www.ginkandgasoline.com/hosted-trips/
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4 thoughts on “Reece’s Squirrely Dragon

  1. Do you weight this pattern? If not, why? Do you think it would be a good idea to weight this fly? Does the squirrel absorb a lot of water? What about using weighted eyes vs weighting the shank? Your opinion on which would be the better choice? Thanks Much.

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