Pink Squirrel
The Pink Squirrel, originated on Wisconsin's Kinnickinnic River, is a wildly effective attractor nymph that doesn't imitate anything in particular — it just catches fish. Its pink bead, pink squirrel dubbing, and flashy body create a fly that stands out in the drift and triggers curiosity strikes from trout year-round. It excels under an indicator in deep pools and is one of the top flies on the Driftless Area streams of Wisconsin and Minnesota.
- Type
- nymph (Midge)
- Hook sizes
- #12–18
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
Materials
- hook: Scud hook #12–18
- thread: Red 8/0
- bead: Small pink or red tungsten bead
- body: Pink squirrel or pink dubbing
- ribbing: Fine red wire
- thorax: Hot pink dubbing
Tying steps
- Slide a small pink or red tungsten bead onto a size 12–18 scud hook.
- Start red thread; wrap a smooth base to the bend.
- Tie in fine red wire for ribbing.
- Dub a slim body of pink or squirrel-blend dubbing from bend to behind the bead.
- Counter-wrap the red wire rib in 5–6 spirals over the body.
- Dub a small pink or hot pink hot spot collar just behind the bead.
- Build a thread head against the bead; whip finish and cement.
- Apply UV resin over the bead and thread head; cure for 20 seconds under UV light.