Pink Squirrel
The Pink Squirrel fly pattern was designed by John Bethke and is probably the most popular trout fly pattern today in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. John Bethke tied these flies I have posted below: Pink Squirrel Fly Pattern (Original Recipe) tied by John Bethke Hook: Mustad #3906 hook (sizes 12 – 16)
Pink Squirrel Nymph Fly Recipe Hook:
- Firehole 315 or another scud hook #12-18
- Bead: Gold brass or tungsten counter drilled bead
- Weight: 0.020 lead or non-lead wire
- Thread: Pink 6/0 140d
- Tail: 4 strands of pearl crystal flash
- Ribbing: Red UTC wire
- Body: Grey squirrel or rabbit dubbing
- Collar: Coral pink chenille or pink dubbing such as Diamond Dubbing or Ice Dubbing
Bethke's Original Pattern
- Hook: Mustad #3906 or Daiichi #1550 wet fly hook #12-16.
- Thread: Black Pearsall Gossamer silk or UTC
- Body: Grey Fox Squirrel body fur mixed with Amber Antron ( Lureflash #AW19) and Hareline Olive Ice Dubbing (ICE263)
- Ribbing: Red copper wire
- Tail: Rainbow Krystal Flash (Hareline KF13)
- Thorax: Fl. Pink Chenille Chenille Medium Fl. Shrimp Pink ( Hareline #CHM140)
| Coon Creek | 5/25/21 | #14 light gray Not effective #14 dark brown not effective |
|---|---|---|
| Glover | 4/21/22 | #18 Dark red effective |
| Hewett | 3/16/22 | #14 light gray effective |
| Joy Springs | 7/16/22 | Not effective |
| Paint Creek | 10/25/22 | #14 effective on rainbow |
| Spring Creek | 6/9/22 | Effective (water high, fast, muddy) |
| Waterloo Creek | 5/2/23 | #14 not effective |