By Mike Hogue
Arctic Fox is one of the most interesting new materials around. It is has some unique properties which allow for some neat applications. I have found it to make one of the best winging materials for salmon flies. It is fairly easy to tie and perhaps it's only drawback is that it tends to 'slim down' in the water. In other words, you need to make the wing pretty full in order to get a decent wing that doesn't shrink to zero in the water.
There are basically a few types of arctic fox........ the body and the tail. There are a few differences between the pieces. The main thing is that the body patches have shorter hair than the tail. The body patches also have more under hair so they tend to be a bit fuller. Tail pieces on the other hand have longer fibers with thicker ends. Not much difference really.
I tied several types of flies to show you how to use this material. Most are reasonably simple and you could actually use this on a variety of fish. I have caught trout and smallmouth on these while fishing for landlocks. So if you are looking for a really new bass bug, I suspect that a lot of the Southern fish have never seen any of these coldwater Yankee flies.
The Polar Shrimp
Hook: Kamasan B180, Size 4-12
Thread: Danville 6/0 Black
Tail: Orange Hackle Fibers
Body: Med Hot Orange Chenille
Rib: Silver Oval Tinsel
Wing: Arctic Fox Tail
Collar: Orange Hackle
This is one of the first steelhead flies I learned to tie from John Shewey. It is pretty straight forward. Tie in the tail with the tail equal to the hook shank, tie in the rib, tie in the chenille. Wrap body and rib, leaving 3 eye lengths open for the wing and head. Tie in a full wing of Arctic fox tail. Tie in hackle, make 2-3 wraps and tie off. This is also a great fly to use on browns, steelhead and rainbows. This is basically an egg or roe type pattern.
The Thor
Hook: Kamasan B180,
Size 4-12
Thread: Danville 6/0 Black
Tail: Orange Hackle Fibers
Butt: Med Black Chenille
Body: Med Hot Orange Chenille
Rib: Silver Oval Tinsel
Wing: Arctic Fox Tail
Collar: Orange Hackle
This is pretty much the same as above. This time you tie in a butt of black chenille and make 2 turns, then you do the rest just like above. I combed the under fur out of the wing. You can also use kid goat for the wing and get the same look. The tip of a bucktail if fine enough will look like this also but tend to float.
The Freight Train
Hook: Kamasan
B180, Size 4-12
Thread: Danville 6/0 Black
Tail: Purple Hackle Fibers
Body: Rear: Hot Orange Floss, Front Half: Hot Pink Floss
Thorax: Black Seal Fur ( or Sub )
Rib: Gold Oval Tinsel
Wing: Arctic Fox Tail
Collar: Purple Hackle
This is almost identical to the flies above. Tie in the tail, tie in tinsel, wrap floss, tie off and tie in second color, wrap floss. Wrap oval tinsel throughout the floss body. Dub a small thorax of seal fur. Tie in wing and hackle, tie off.
Mike's Cotton Candy
Hook: Hareline
Silver Salmon Hook size 2-6
Thread: Danville 6/0 Hot Orange
Body: Rear: Hot Pink Llama, Front Half: Purple w/ Pink Lite Brite
Rib: Holographic Purple Tinsel, Fine
Wing: Arctic Fox Tail
Collar: Hot Pink Hackle
This is one of mine. Okay it is so loud that it hurts! Wow! Turn down the volume! Tie in the tinsel, dub the body and wrap tinsel. Stop at mmid section of the hook and dub a coarse thorax of Lite Brite. Add wing and wrap collar, tie off.
For more Info Contact:
Mike Hogue / Badger Creek Fly Tying / 622 West Dryden Road, Freeville, NY 13068
Phone: 607-347-4946