Hot weather inspiration: Swimming Frog (Whitlock style)

A hot sunny day probably inspired me to tie this diving frog.
This frog is tied Whitlock style, which has a slightly flatter head than the regular Dahlberg diver style and a lower collar.

There were some questions about who originated this pattern: Larry Dahlberg or Dave Whitlock?
As I wrote in my posting about Dahlberg Divers in 2006, I watched a video (VHS tape!) somewhere early 1990. The article about the 'The Bass fly revolution' in Field & Stream of May 1990 (see below) also shows that Dave Whitlock came up with his Swimming Frog pattern somewhere around the same period.

The real answer might come up by asking both anglers (maybe I will in the future), but for now it seems both anglers were experimenting with deer hair patterns for bass and pike side by side, without knowing each other's work.

Anyway, here's a very interesting article about the history of fly fishing for bass.


Update Dec 16, 2015:
I asked Larry Dahlberg and he confirms that he is the originator of the shape that's so typical of the deer hair diver head.

Update Feb 22, 2018:
The search for the origins of the Dahlberg diver has ended!

In this article from Fly Fisherman September 1983 issue, Dave Whitlock gives Larry Dahlberg full credits for inventing the deer hair head shape and collar that makes this bass bug dive and float back to the surface.

Hook: Tiemco 8089
Weed guard: Mason hard nylon 20 lbs
Thread: Danville Flymaster Plus
Tail: Large bass hackle (3 on each side)
Body: Stacked deer hair (white for the bottom, olive, green and black for top).
Legs: Round medium rubber legs.

This frog will be donated to a friend who desperately needs a fly on his new hat.

Field & Stream, May 1990 'The Bass Fly Revolution'.
Best way to read this article is to place the mouse pointer on the article and press right button to 'Open frame in new window' to get a full screen view.