Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 I tie a lot of warmwater and saltwater flies, so I tend to use a lot of rabbit zonker strips, especially the magnum cut strips. So, I have a lot of different colors and sizes. I am getting tired of having my zonker strips wrinkled when taking them out of their original package to tie with. I have a lot of tying materials in my workshop so space is limited, but I'd like to be able to store all the rabbit, squirrel and finn raccoon zonkers in a way where they do not get wrinkled. Anyone have any innovative methods that will be good for many different colors to keep them organized and non-wrinkled that will also not take up a lot of space? Also, I think my wife has one of those steam machines that is like a portable vacuum that generates steam. I'm thinking that I could fire that bad boy up and steam the wrinkled zonkers. Does anyone steam their wrinkled zonkers or is there an easier, better method? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sniksoh 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 you could put them in the plastic tackle boxes that the spin fisherman use. just take out all the inserts and then you will have 4 or 5 long compartments to store the strips in Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeky 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Put the top end of the strips in a binder clip and hang them from a pegboard. Find long hooks and you can hang more than one color on a peg to conserve wall spacde. No need to steam - they will hang out in a few days. Deeky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 you could put them in the plastic tackle boxes that the spin fisherman use. just take out all the inserts and then you will have 4 or 5 long compartments to store the strips in I did try that and it does work, but those tackle boxes are usually smoky so you can't see what is inside very well without having to open it up. I have so many materials I like to organize in a way where it's easy to see the colors and sizes of everything all together. I suppose I could buy a tackle box like that and try to find a clear plastic one. You know like some dubbing dispensers are smoky and then most of the Wapsi ones are completely clear, so I could find one of those boxes that you described that is totally clear. That would work. I would need to get a whole bunch of those because I've got a lot of different zonkers, but I agree with you that that would be the best way. Hey, I just had an idea. I could get a nuts/bolts garage wall storage cabinet that has small long drawers with like 5 across and 8 down and they are about 2 inches wide and about 6 inches deep. That would be perfect and I could probably find one that exactly fits the full lengths of most zonkers, then that would be perfect, especially if I can find one that has clear drawers so I can get a good idea of what's in each one from the outside. Have you ever removed the wrinkles by steaming them or how do most of you do it? I can't stand my flies looking all wacky from wrinkles. Thanks for your suggestion. Fly Tiers are usually creative and innovative so keep the ideas coming y'all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Terry, I tie a lot with rabbit too, & keep mine in large zip lock bags. Is this wrinkle issue a pet peeve of your's? Once they get wet, I don't notice any wrinkles, and don't think the fish do either! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Put the top end of the strips in a binder clip and hang them from a pegboard. Find long hooks and you can hang more than one color on a peg to conserve wall spacde. No need to steam - they will hang out in a few days. Deeky Wall pegs is a good idea. I thought it would take a lot longer than a few days for those badly wrinkled zonkers to get completely unwrinkled. Awesome, thanks for the suggestion! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Terry, I tie a lot with rabbit too, & keep mine in large zip lock bags. Is this wrinkle issue a pet peeve of your's? Once they get wet, I don't notice any wrinkles, and don't think the fish do either! Thanks. Yes, it is a pet peeve of mine! I guess I'm too much of a perfectionist that is also impatient and don't want to wait until the fly gets wet for the wrinkles to disappear. But, according to deeky the wrinkles will fade away after a few days of hanging or being straight. I'll see how that works. Thanks guys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Just wondering! :hyst: I think that's the first time I've ever heard of someone being concerned about wrinkles in rabbit strips! Hey, we all have our quirks! :whistle: Just be aware that anytime you hang up exposed natural materials, there's the possibility that moth's or other vermin can get to them, so take some precautions! Although it would take some effort, you could also staple them to card board & place them in zip lock bags, which would fix the wrinkle problem & protect them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Just wondering! :hyst: I think that's the first time I've ever heard of someone being concerned about wrinkles in rabbit strips! Hey, we all have our quirks! :whistle: Just be aware that anytime you hang up exposed natural materials, there's the possibility that moth's or other vermin can get to them, so take some precautions! Although it would take some effort, you could also staple them to card board & place them in zip lock bags, which would fix the wrinkle problem & protect them. It's hard for me to believe that I'm the only one who don't like big wrinkles on their zonkers. It's not a major concern, just something that I wanted to fix so it wouldn't bother me in the future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 There may be others who it bothers, just not me! So, did you get all your saltwater tying completed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 There may be others who it bothers, just not me! So, did you get all your saltwater tying completed? I just got the large package from Fly Tyers Dungeon of Congo Hair, and all the other good stuff they have there. I've been going back and forth seeing VA doctors lately as I haven't been feeling well due to my service disability, but am starting to feel a little better so I'm slowly getting back into it again. I have received most of the hooks we were talking about before and most of the other supplies I ordered like the Whiting American Capes and I got some of that Fabric Fusion for shrimp patterns and epoxy heads. I did tie a deceiver pattern a couple days ago but that's all I got around to. I certainly did learn a lot though from you guys and I appreciate it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Sounds like it's coming together then. I'll be looking forward to seeing some completed flies! I've been home for the past 4 weeks, I had some surgery & have been recouping. 2 weeks to go! I'm dreading having to go back to work. My wife also had some surgery, so I've been taking care of her too! Getting old sucks! :wallbash: I just tied up a couple dozen shad flies. I'm hearing reports they're in the rivers a little further south, so they should be here shortly. I'm hoping to get some fishing time in before I go back to work! :thumbsup: I'm going to try & take some pics of the flies & post them! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry Dunford 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Sounds like it's coming together then. I'll be looking forward to seeing some completed flies! I've been home for the past 4 weeks, I had some surgery & have been recouping. 2 weeks to go! I'm dreading having to go back to work. My wife also had some surgery, so I've been taking care of her too! Getting old sucks! :wallbash: I just tied up a couple dozen shad flies. I'm hearing reports they're in the rivers a little further south, so they should be here shortly. I'm hoping to get some fishing time in before I go back to work! :thumbsup: I'm going to try & take some pics of the flies & post them! Yes, I can post some photos too. I'll be going to do some bass fly fishing before going to Florida so will probably be tying some more deer hair flies before I jump into the saltwater tying because I've just about got the spinning down pretty darn good now. I'll find the camera and take a shot of the next one I do probably tomorrow or Sunday. But I do like to change it up, so will be tying some baitfish flies that will be good for bass and for saltwater fishing. I'll take a shot of that deceiver I just finished too for you. I also just got in some balsa 1" x 12" blocks and will be carving a couple topwater poppers mainly for saltwater fishing. Don't know how they will turn out so I can't guarantee a photo for those. I'll get to try out my new Dremel with the flex hose extender tip thingamabob. So, until next time my friend... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Bob LeMay 0 Report post Posted April 9, 2011 Like you I use a fair amount of rabbit (have learned to strip my own, etc). Wrinkles or badly bent strips are never an issue because of how I work with rabbit... Whenever I'm using the stuff I keep a small plastic container nearby with water in it. After tying in a tail I dip my fingers in water and stroke the tail several times to straighten everything out and keep that tail from interfering with the rest of the tying process. With this technique the initial condition of the rabbit strip just doesn't matter. The tail dries fairly quickly and remains looking like it had just been to a hairdresser... Here's a pic or two.... This pattern is the Swamp Rabbit. Tight lines Bob LeMay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
