Bushrat 0 Report post Posted January 27, 2013 I am new to this fourm but not new to tying. I have been looking for a source of quality craft fur for bonefish and small saltwater flies. Since Mystic Bay is no longer available I have been having a tough time. The local craft stores do not carry it any more. I found some Hareline extra select craft fur and it was abig dissapointment, very coarse and sparse. Any new sources would be a big help. Thanks in advance for any help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted January 27, 2013 I miss Mystic Bay too! They had some great products! I haven't used it so can't say if it will be suitable, but you can try Punisher Lures. They sell craft fur that they use for tying some of their jigs. I've heard others say it's great stuff for jigs, but that doesn't mean it's good for tying flies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robow7 0 Report post Posted January 27, 2013 I loved the old Targus craft fur, huge piece with longest silkiest fibers but tough to find any more. About a year ago I spent all day tracking some down and when I finally found some at the now closed Western Fly Shop, I bought all that they had in the colors that I use all the time. I thought the Hairline was OK but the Punisher craft hair was inadequate for my purposes, the fibers were much shorter, less dense and more expensive, ymmv. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted January 27, 2013 Robow7, thanks for the comments on the Punisher craft fur. I've also been fortunate enough to have collected a supply over the years. Still have some of the Mystic Bay Fly Fur, and there are various crafts & fabric shops in my area that had it last time I checked. That of course may have changed. Bushrat, I just checked some of what I have, and there is a header card on a couple of pieces with the name Darice on it. Darice is a large crafts company, and although their fur is not as nice as the old Mystic Bay, it may be something to check out. I've used the Darice to tie Bonefish flies. Cascade Crest also has fake fur listed on their website, but again I've not used it. Kirk Dietrich buys a lot from them I believe, so perhaps he's used it & can give you some insight on their products. You might also want to check the Fly Tyers Dungeon, that guy has all kinds of neat synthetics that might fit your needs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KHoss 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Hareline has some "extra select" craft fur that is really nice... any shop should be able to get it, of search the web Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bushrat 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Thanks a lot for the feed back, when I return to the states in April I will order some Darcie adn give it a try. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCOwens 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 I tie personally with the "Extra Select" Hareline craft fur, has worked for what I have needed it for so far, but have never used any other. I can say that Fly Tyers Dungeon doesn't carry anything in the line of craft fur but he does have some awesome stuff. I have enjoyed making dubbing brushes out of his EP like fiber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirk Dietrich 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 On Amazon, Hareline Dubbing sells their Extra Select; I read that you've tried it and didn't like it but I sat down with Gary Borger once and he was using it in dubbing loops to make some crab flies. It looked okay to me. Also, on Amazon, WAPSI sells regular Craft Fur if you prefer the shorter stuff. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ditz2 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 I have used a lot of craft fur in the past and I still use quite a bit. I will say that there are other synthetic fibers out there that can be used in it place and is probably cheaper. The problem I have with craft fur is that there is so much under fur that I pull out to get to the longer guard hairs that there is a lot of 'waste'. I have saved a lot of the under fur for dubbing but one can only use so much dubbing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chefben4 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 If you want "thicker" craft fur like hair try polar fiber. I use a lot of extra select craft fur and haven't had any problems with it. It is true though, if you want a thick tail for example, it takes several good clumps of craft fur. No big deal though, its pretty cheap in my neck of the woods. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robow7 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 I should mention that the old Targus craft fur was also known as Dougs Bugs craft fur, if you can find any of that still in the shops, again, I think a slightly better product than the Hairline's Select craft fur. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheCream 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 I liked Polar Fiber, but it was a little short for some of the bass patterns I was making. I started using Pseudo Hair (think it is Hareline, also) and have been very happy with it. It makes great streamer brushes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SILKHDH 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2013 YOU CAN TRY THIS. www.crscraft.com . Pick product index, then pick "f-j", then pan down to fur fabrics. Look at there Fox Fur, Fun Fur Shaggy, and Darice Craft fur. Darice is the shortest. They also have sample cards that are cheap to see if it is too your liking. I will say you buy it by the yard, but is still cheap for the amount you get. I suggest you get a sample card and check it out. FYI,,,,Fun Fur Shaggy is 3"-3 5/8" long fibers. I save the under fur for dubbing.. Works great for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonjoe 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2013 When you guys say craft fur is it found at a store like michaels or Walmart? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tidewaterfly 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2013 When you guys say craft fur is it found at a store like michaels or Walmart? Yes, that's where the bulk of craft fur is sold. It's actually a fabric product. What we use for fly tying is not usually produced specifically for tying flies. When a tier or materials wholesaler finds a particular brand, or source that works well for flies, it's often then resold under a brand name that is marketable to fly tiers, but may also be found in several other stores, under it's original brand, or sometimes several, that sell to those making various crafts. That's why it's a good idea to look around! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites