Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Hunting for my own materials

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Gauteng
    Posts
    3

    Lightbulb Hunting for my own materials

    Good morning

    I am new to fly tying but often go hunting and figured I could use some of the antelope skins and bird feathers as materials for tying my own flies.
    What I needed to find out is whether one needs to treat the skins/feathers before using them and if so, how/where can this be done?

    Any feedback or references would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    9,050

    Default

    Birds are almost the best bet for fly tying materials.
    Squirrel is good
    Rabbit is good.

    For the rest, not much
    Make sure the pelts are clean, and the skins properly prepared.
    Put in freezer for 2 weeks, and take out for 3 or 4 days, put back into freezer.

    part of the fun is dying the feathers and skins.
    Normal dyes, Kool aid cooldrink powder, Picric acid etc
    Korrie Broos

    Don't go knocking on Death's door, ring the bell and run like hell. He hates it. (anon)
    Nymphing, adds depth to your fly fishing.
    Nymphing, is fly fishing in another dimension

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Gauteng
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Hi Korrie

    Thanks for the reply.
    I have had a bit of google and it seems one should skin the animal, wash, pin to a board and borax the skin. Sound about right?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    9,050

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by french View Post
    Hi Korrie

    Thanks for the reply.
    I have had a bit of google and it seems one should skin the animal, wash, pin to a board and borax the skin. Sound about right?
    GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND.

    you do not have to pin to a board.
    Get all the fat and meat off, that is important. Coarse salt will work as well.
    some wash the skin as well to get rid of the dirt and fat etc on the hair and feathers.
    Korrie Broos

    Don't go knocking on Death's door, ring the bell and run like hell. He hates it. (anon)
    Nymphing, adds depth to your fly fishing.
    Nymphing, is fly fishing in another dimension

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Somerset West
    Posts
    278

    Default

    And make sure all the living stuff is dead. Freeze, Doom, anything. You don't want mite to get into your feather box.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •