bigduhon 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Hey guys, I'm new to fly tying, having gotten my first kit for Christmas. The last two months I have spent tying a ton of beginner flies. Additionally, I have also spent the last two months accumulating materials, some of which I just got in a cheap, yet huge purchase from someone who was giving up fly tying. Great for me, sad for him. My question is this...do any materials go bad or degrade with time? Are there preferred methods of storing such materials to prevent degradation? Thanks for your help, and I try and post some flies I've tied. I've got to find some worthy of the true mastery demonstrated on this site. Tight Lines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytyingscotsman 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Keep natural materials (fur, feathers) dry and safe from any kind of insect pests. I use cedar wood for bug control. If you can stand the smell, mothballs get the job done too. Sealable zippy bags are always good. Hooks can rust if not kept dry (kind of obvious but I mention this anyway). Synthetic materials are pretty forgiving, although the colors will bleach if left in sunlight, as will the colors of any of your materials. Your biggest investment is your capes and saddles - obviously you want to worry about protecting a $40+ neck before a $2 patch of fur. Word to the wise on dogs - if you have one and it is anything like mine, it WILL want to tear up any fur or feathers it can get it's teeth on ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chase Creek 0 Report post Posted February 23, 2007 Zip-Loc bags are a tyers best friend. I use them for everything. The synthetics I don't worry too much about, the bugs don't seem to like them. I agree about the dogs. I have a Boxer who got hold of some bucktails, and we were finding bits and pieces all over the house for a month. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vices 0 Report post Posted February 23, 2007 I keep my materials bags and in a big plastic organizer .. if anything gets wet, its pretty much writtin off, funny thats exactly whats gonna happen to it anyways. Its the skin and bone you gotta worry about.. and the ceder is really good for keeping bugs out.. cheaper deer hair seems to become brittle givin enough time.. :cheers: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites