Feenstra's Shrew

Materials

Hook

Trailing hook, typically a drop-shot hook such as an Owner MosquitoMost common sizes are 4 to 1. Added before fishing, on a 40 to 55 mm shank.

Shank

40 to 55 mm shank

Connection

40 lb Power Pro or other braided fishing lineAbout 6 in, folded and knotted, laid along the shank as the hook loop.

Eyes

Shiny gold or pale yellow plastic bead chain

Tail

Olive, black, or brown pine squirrel

Body

2 hen hackles and 2 olive or tan grizzly marabou feathersAlternated up the shank to build a sculpin-shaped head with less bulk.

Pectoral fins

2 small strips of pine squirrel

Flash

Cranberry holographic Flashabou5 or 6 strands over the body.

Rubber legsoptional

Black and red spinnerbait skirt fibers

Head

Pine squirrel wound up the shank behind the eyesIn front of the eyes, a pinch of tan or peacock Ice Dub; Hare's Wiggle Dub works well here.

Steps

1. 1.Put a shank in the vise, between 40 and 55 mm in length.
2. 2.Cut a piece of Power Pro about 6 inches long. Fold it over and tie an overhand knot with the two ends.
3. 3.Cover the shank with thread. Lay the Power Pro over the shank and thread the knot through the eye. Cover the Power Pro with thread, using the overhand knot as a stopper.
4. 4.Tie in a piece of pine squirrel for the tail. It should reach only to the end of the Power Pro loop.
5. 5.On top of the tail, tie in a cream, yellow, or brown hen hackle. Wind the thread a little way up the shank and tie in a grizzly marabou feather above the hen hackle. Move forward a little and tie in another hen hackle, then repeat once more with a grizzly marabou feather. This builds a sculpin-shaped head with less bulk than other methods.
6. 6.Tie in a small piece of pine squirrel on either side as pectoral fins. Rubber legs can be added to each side in this step.
7. 7.Cover the fly with 5 or 6 strands of cranberry holographic Flashabou.
8. 8.Tie in a piece of pine squirrel and wind it over much of the remaining shank.
9. 9.Tie in the plastic eyes, leaving a little space at the head. They can also go on at the start if you prefer.
10. 10.At the front of the fly, add a pinch of dubbing in the colour of your choice. Hare's Wiggle Dub works well here.
11. 11.Finish the fly.
12. 12.Before fishing, add the Owner Mosquito or another suitable hook to the loop.

From the tier

• This is a great pattern that can be swung in the traditional way or bounced and swung along the bottom.
• Typically tied olive in the winter, black in the spring, and mottled tan the rest of the year.
• The layered feathers give the fly a lot of action in the water.
• The hook should end up where the tail ends, so the hook itself functions as the tail.

Hook and hardware

• Drop-shot trailing hook1

  Sizes 4 to 1 · Owner (Mosquito) or similar

  Hook

  Added to the braid loop before fishing; it sits where the tail ends and works as the tail.

  1

• Articulated shank1

  40 to 55 mm

  Shank

  1

• Braided fishing lineAbout 6 in

  40 lb · Power Pro or similar

  Connection

  Folded and knotted to make the hook loop.

  About 6 in

• Plastic bead chain eyes1 pair

  Shiny gold or pale yellow

  Eyes

  1 pair

Feathers and fur

• Pine squirrel zonker strip1 strip

  Olive, black, or brown to match the season

  TailPectoral finsHead

  One strip covers the tail, both fins and the wound head.

  1 strip

• Hen hackle2 feathers

  Cream, yellow, or brown

  Body

  2 feathers

• Grizzly marabou2 feathers

  Olive or tan

  Body

  2 feathers

Synthetics, flash and legs

• Holographic Flashabou5 or 6 strands

  Cranberry

  Flash

  5 or 6 strands

• Ice Dub or Hare's Wiggle DubA pinch

  Tan or peacock

  Head

  A pinch

• Spinnerbait skirt fibersoptionalA few strands each side

  Black and red

  Rubber legs

  A few strands each side

Thread and finish

• Tying thread1 spool

  ShankConnectionHead

  The sheet does not name a thread; a strong 140-denier in a colour to match the head is our choice.

  1 spool