#1 Squirrel Tail Flies Description: Made from one of my favorite carp materials, squirrel tail, the "Rough Dub Crayfish" (center) is one of the best common carp patterns I tie. Some equally deadly squirrel variations include(front to back) the no weight, hook point up "Blind Squirrel", Squirrel Tail Clouser, and "Hammerhead Rough Dubs". These patterns are primarily intended to be crayfish but bait fish and insect analogies could be drawn.
When to use: If I see common carp, I tie on a size 6 or 8 "Rough Dub Crayfish" ASAP because the fly almost never fails, something I attribute to the look of the squirrel tail in the water. The Rough Dub is also a top pattern for Grass Carp and just about everything else depending on how the fly is tied. If your fish are shallow and very spooky, you can try the "Blind Squirrel". On the other hand, if your fishing the great lakes the "Hammerhead Rough Dub" can be a top producer.