Craig J Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 Has anyone ever tried this? http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fishing/2010/11/how-dye-deer-hair-kool-aid-flies-and-lures I might have some free deer hair coming my way tomorrow. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike G Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Go for it. Ages ago I used Rit Dye to get some orange feathers and bucktail. But Kool Aid sounds...cool. As the author suggests, test with small pieces to make sure you have the hang of it. Who wants to have several lifetime supplies of a color resembling primal ooz? BTW, I once had an oversupply of Magenta neck hackles. Using ordinary bleach, I turned them into white hackles. This would probably work if you Kool Aid colors don't come out right. Let us know how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted March 2, 2012 Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 Craig, do a search over at flytyingforum.com and enter "kool aid". I got 85 responses to the search. A lot of fellows seem to have it down to an art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig J Posted March 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 Thank you Mike and Rob! Rob, that site is awesome! I am learning so much as i am a noob! I didnt get my deer hair today, so i tested it out on some pieces of goose feathers that i have. I had some Cherry Kool Aid in the cupboard, and tested it. The dark grey feathers turned into a rusty brown color. I am no expert, but they seem to be a great color for using as crayfish ties. Again my thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig J Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Well as an update. I tried it with deer hair, but may have nuked it too long. It took the dye very well, and I have 3 great colors, but the hair is very stiff and brittle. Going to have to experiment some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjensen Posted March 25, 2012 Report Share Posted March 25, 2012 The trick to dying any kind of feathers, hair, or natural material is to never allow the dye bath to go higher than 140 degrees. Higher than that and the material will become brittle. Use a candy thermometer and do it in an old glass coffee pot on the stove. You have no control of temperature using a microwave. I keep my dye solution between 130 and 140 degrees at all times and have never had a problem. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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