Deer Hair Flies

[TossinFlies15]

Just got a ton of deer hair but it was a choice full temerity and I lack in knowledge of deer hair flies. I dont think (?) I have the tools to tie poppers and such but correct me if I'm wrong.. Any thoughts?

 

[FrequentTyer]

It is more technique than tools (I think). You do need a good vise to hold up to the pressure you put on the hook when spinning. Of course, there is a lot more you can do with deer hair than spin.

 

[TossinFlies15]

Do you just spin it like you would any other fur with the loop?

 

[FrequentTyer]

No it is spun around the hook and then trimmed to shape. This video might not be the most relevant fly for you, but it does a nice job of describing the method and Davie is a great teacher:
http://www.youtube.com/user/DavieMcPhail#p/u/92/66HQrHg1WW0

Try a youtube search on muddler minnow or deer hair fly and you will see a bunch more examples. Also, the one special tool you might need is a hair stacker, but people use all sort of things like lipstick cases or ammo cartridges in place of a stacker.

 

[TossinFlies15]

Hah.. Experiments in the lab where sketchy.. the hair doesn't wanna pop up like it does in the video. (Great link also)

 

[littlelehigh]

IMO don't use cheap hair it will frustrate you. I have hair from a taxidermist that is junk.

 

[TossinFlies15]

I'm currently backing your aforesaid statement up as we speak.. You weren't kidding.. :evil:

 

[franklin]

You might try Kevlar thread. It's strong and tends to slide better as you tighten down the hair. The other thing that is good to have is a pack of sharp razor blades. Just keep practicing it takes a while to get the hang of it. Get the spinning part down then work on dimensions.

 

[TossinFlies15]

I've tied with Kevlar before but couldn't find it in b-pro. Do you have to special order it or something?.. Orrrrr maybe i was to cheap to buy it and passed by as is the usual when it comes to me shopping

 

[jdaddy]

BPS probably doesn't have it. TCO in Reading does if you are in the area. Besides, you need to treat yourself to a real fly tying shop like TCO if you have been stuck with BPS.

 

[littlelehigh]

kevlar thread

http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/TW-025160-0000/search/Wapsi-Ultra-GSP-Thread.html


Also Franklins last post was spot on.


BTW I should of said taxidermy hide can be used but the prob is that deer was shot in the winter when whitetails have alot of under fur. It just takes patience and alot more material to spin a good head. Only the the thickest, longest hairs in that case are useable. AAAAAAAA throw it away and buy some good shtuff.... :-D

 

[TossinFlies15]

Besides, you need to treat yourself to a real fly tying shop like TCO if you have been stuck with BPS.

This is very true. I also need to be treated to my license as well =D

 

[bam]

jump to the 5:30 mark...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OBIlByHtVw

 

[David]

It depends on the deer hair, too. Some deer hair is better for spinning, some are better for comparaduns, some for caddis, some not much good for anything!
The more hollow the hair, the better it will "flair out"...this hair is best for spinning into bass poppers, muddler heads, grass hoppers, etc.
If it is thin and has some "flair", it is better for comparaduns.
If it only has a little flair, I will use them on my caddis.

 

[Heritage-Angler]

David has it right. Here's some more info on spinning deer hair:

http://globalflyfisher.com/staff/helm/selecting/

 

[TossinFlies15]

Ahhh thank you david I see why my hair wont flare to well. it 100% solid

 

[gfen]

littlelehigh wrote:
kevlar thread

http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/TW-025160-0000/search/Wapsi-Ultra-GSP-Thread.html

GSP is gel-spun poly(-ester? -urethen? whatever), not kevlar.

Kevlar cuts your bobbin, GSP doesn't. GSP is neat, kevlar is not. Kevlar stops bullets, but don't try to throw your flies in front of incoming fire as it hardly ever works.

 

[littlelehigh]

Thanks for the correction. I just went to the good stuff I purchased after that dreadful day I met you at Cabela's.


Member I bought that beautiful bag of rabbit patches for $3.99. Still haven't found a use for any of it........ What was I thinking.

 

[gfen]

I like zonker strips, now. They've become an important part of my intrepid wasting of money for small mouth bass I (almost) never seem to catch.

In other news, smallies on a 1wt popper are even better than se...well, no. They're pretty rad, though. I need a 000.

 

[franklin]

gfen wrote:

littlelehigh wrote:
kevlar thread

http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/TW-025160-0000/search/Wapsi-Ultra-GSP-Thread.html

GSP is gel-spun poly(-ester? -urethen? whatever), not kevlar.

Kevlar cuts your bobbin, GSP doesn't. GSP is neat, kevlar is not. Kevlar stops bullets, but don't try to throw your flies in front of incoming fire as it hardly ever works.

Gfen, you have raised a good point that I missed in my initial post. I use both Kevlar and GSP. GSP for smaller flies (those for trout) and Kevlar on some larger ones (bass bugs). Kevlar is much harder on scissors and bobbins. If you use a bobbin with a ceramic feral you should not have problems. Certainly for a beginner GSP is the way to go and may be all you ever use. I've just found I prefer the Kevlar on large flies.