Mike G Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 Rich gave me a tip that I want to pass along.As the weather and waters cool, our thoughts turn naturally to Float’n Fly fishing. Time to tie some up. The “flies” popularized by the likes of Charlie Nuckols and Bob Coan are small jigs traditionally made of Troll Hair, AKA fake fur. There is website where you can get free swatches of fake fur. http://www.distincti...php?cat=LONGFUR They have a lot of different furs to choose from. I went ahead and got five free swatches, Husky Fur (grey), Extra Long Fur burnt orange). Brandy Fox (brown),Monkey Fur (black), and Sparkle Fur (lime). I am glad it was free so I could try a few different types. Not all of them totally good for tying. It turned out that the Sparkle Fur was far and away the best with fibers a full 4 inches long and minimal fluff under fur. The Sparkle is achieved by plugging in a few metallic strands about every inch. Though the strands could be removed, I would leave them in since I usually add flash to wings anyway. Sparkle fur comes in a good range of colors. You can learn from my mistakes. Mistake 1, the Husky Fur was usable only because it offered some black tipped guard hairs about 3 inches long that could be teased out of the heavy under fur. Mistake 2, the Monkey Fur swatch was very matted and required some work with a comb to straighten the fibers about 3 inches long. Once that was done the fur is usable though the color selection is limited to black or white. Mistake 3, Extra Long Fur was disappointing. Even combing did not cure the matted hairs. Fibers about 2 inches long can be teased out of the dense under fur. Mistake 4, Brandy Fox was my worst mistake. The longest fibers were barely 1.5 inches long. Go get your free swatches now. If you need some inspiration on patterns to tie, visit the Punisher Lure site. http://www.punisherl...t-fly-jigs.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dodge Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 Ordered mines. Thanks for the link, Mr. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted September 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 Ordered mines. Thanks for the link, Mr. Mike. Good Terry, Let us know what you think when you get the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben K. Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 Ordered mines. Thanks for the link, Mr. Mike. What's the point? Everyone knows you can't catch smallmouth on the Kishaukee during the winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dodge Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 What's the point? Everyone knows you can't catch smallmouth on the Kishaukee during the winter I will prove "Everyone" wrong. Gots me a spot all picked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben K. Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 Good luck! I was thinking of doing a winter float just to scout some spots while the water is low and clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dodge Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Gots me stuff. Ordered all sparkle fur in grey, red, turquoise and white. They all look good. I'll have to sit at my bench and do some work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 There's a tournament here. Let's see what what we can produce from the "fake fur." Who's in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 you mean a fake fur fly contest make some guidelines rich mc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Yes, I mean a fly tying contest. There could be more than one if the first draws any interest. I see three, a Float'n Fly (1/16 Jig), a subsurface fly like a streamer or nymph, and a floating fly like a popper or diver. Now I have to figure out some rules. who will be "da Judge," etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted November 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 No Muppets were harmed collecting this fur. Here they all are: Elmo Red, Ernie Orange, Bert Yellow, Kermit Green, Piggy Pink, Count Purple, Cookie Monster Blue and a host of others. By getting other family members involved I collected 15 swatches at no cost. Now I will figure out a contest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 mike,bring thefake fur samples to the fly show for us to see first hand. mike will be tying the famous stealth bomber pattern for us rich mc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonn Graham Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Another great, new product is faux fox. It is a synthetic (fake) fur that comes in hank form and is quite long. It is very, very much the same as craft hair/fur. I purchased three hanks from Pat up at The Fly Fishers. You get quite a bit for the price. If you get some, make sure you don't cut it from the hank. Instead, grab the ends of the materail and pull. After you have pulled out a pinch, the material naturally tapers on one end. What is nice about this product is the length. While you don't need it real long for fnf, it is nice to tie some larger fly patterns. I will have some fnfs for the fly rod tied to see/buy at the show utilizing this material. In addition, I have a streamer pattern that utilizes this longer craft hair and some flashy dubbing near the head. This streamer is my version of Rich Strolis' Beach Comber fly. Here is the link to Faux Fox http://www.theflyfishers.com/fly-shop-details.asp?cat=Synthetics&ID=40&pID=1214 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 i have seen and heard alot of good things about the faux fox most are making dubbing brushes out of it there is a video out from cascade tools on making brushes and some flies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom L Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Thanks for the info. Got my free tying materials yesterday. Working on a new minnow pattern. I'll post soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted April 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 If you liked the sparkle fur Distinctive now has it available in 1/3 and 1/2 yards. Since the fabric is 65'' wide, the 1/3 is equal to 46 5 X 3.5 inch swatches. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LuxuryFauxFur/search?search_query=Sparkle&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search Rich gave me a tip that I want to pass along.As the weather and waters cool, our thoughts turn naturally to Float’n Fly fishing.Time to tie some up. The “flies” popularized by the likes of Charlie Nuckols and Bob Coan are small jigs traditionally made of Troll Hair, AKA fake fur.There is website where you can get free swatches of fake fur.http://www.distincti...php?cat=LONGFURThey have a lot of different furs to choose from. I went ahead and got five free swatches, Husky Fur (grey), Extra Long Fur burnt orange). Brandy Fox (brown),Monkey Fur (black), and Sparkle Fur (lime).I am glad it was free so I could try a few different types. Not all of them totally good for tying. It turned out that the Sparkle Fur was far and away the best with fibers a full 4 inches long and minimal fluff under fur. The Sparkle is achieved by plugging in a few metallic strands about every inch. Though the strands could be removed, I would leave them in since I usually add flash to wings anyway. Sparkle fur comes in a good range of colors.You can learn from my mistakes. Mistake 1, the Husky Fur was usable only because it offered some black tipped guard hairs about 3 inches long that could be teased out of the heavy under fur. Mistake 2, the Monkey Fur swatch was very matted and required some work with a comb to straighten the fibers about 3 inches long. Once that was done the fur is usable though the color selection is limited to black or white. Mistake 3, Extra Long Fur was disappointing. Even combing did not cure the matted hairs. Fibers about 2 inches long can be teased out of the dense under fur. Mistake 4, Brandy Fox was my worst mistake. The longest fibers were barely 1.5 inches long.Go get your free swatches now. If you need some inspiration on patterns to tie, visit the Punisher Lure site.http://www.punisherl...t-fly-jigs.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted May 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 Our favorite source for fake fur has added some more fly friendly colors. Their Extra Long Fur now comes in Sage (light olive), Dark Brown, and Camel (tan). Though not as long as Sparkle Fur, I have found a lot of uses for this size on smaller flies and jigs. http://www.distinctivefabric.com/fabric.php?product=EXTRALONGFUR1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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