Copper and Squirrel - A Winged Soft Hackle

Some of my contemporaries have asked about the spey-ish look and style of the Copper and Squirrel. Admittedly, this fly was not designed with this in mind. Rather I was seeking a real solid emerger pattern utilizing one feather for a wing and hackle   However, I may be on to something....  A micro-spey for trout?

The body is made entirely of copper wire and squirrel underfur with a few longer guard hairs left in the mix.  To achieve the "loose dubbing" effect, a very tacky wax is applied to the copper wire and the fur is pressed (not twisted) on to the wire then wrapped in the normal way.  

You'll find a lightly dressed fly with a lot of copper showing through fishes the best as body weight and dressing allows for a deeper presentation in the water column.  As the fly nears the end of the drift, tension from the current raises the fly towards the surface.  It is at this point you can expect quick, jerky strikes!

Materials

Hook:  Daiichi 1150, size 10-16

Thread:  10/0 or 8/0

Body:  Copper wire, fine.  The darker the better!  Fox squirrel with most of the guard hairs removed.

Wing/Hackle:  Brown partridge

Step 1:

Pinch barb with vise.  Secure hook.  Apply wax to the first two inches of copper wire.  Wind copper wire rearward stopping between the hook point and barb.

Step 1a:

Remove tag end by wiggling back and forth.

Step 2:

Apply a tacky wax to the copper wire and press dubbing on to it.  Wind forward.  The end result should look similar to picture below.

Step 3:

Start thread with a couple of wraps in front of the copper wire.  Take one or two turns of copper wire and then secure with tight thread wraps.

Step 3a:

Wiggle wire back and forth to remove.

Step 4:

Prepare partridge feather by removing fluff and one side of the fibers.  Measure hackle tip by placing the tip at the thread's tie in point (near hook eye) and visually note the distance to the hook bend. This area (further down the stem) will be the tie in point.  Tie in with the hackle tip extending over the eye utilizing two or three tight wraps.  Draw hackle tip back over the thread wraps and take a couple of securing wraps.  This will lock the feather in place.  The stem of the partridge feather should be centerline over the hook shank.  Note the length of the wing.

Step 4a:

Take one or two wraps of hackle and secure.  Whip finish and apply a coat or two of head cement.

Enjoy!