Whole Rabbit Skins?

[1hook 0]

I'm wanting to buy some whole rabbit skins for cutting into strips/dubbing blends.

 

Two questions

1. Does anyone know a good source? I've done some google searches, best buy I have found is 10 bucks a hide which seems reasonable but they didn't have a lot of colors which leads me to my second questions

 

2. How easy is it to dye a white skin to get your desired color. I have not dyed anything before

 

I would prefer to not have to dye if I could find some good colors on a whole skin for reasonable

[bellevue.chartreuse.trout 0]

...

[McGnat 0]

I've seen rabbit skins in natural and white at Hobby Lobby. Lòok in the leather working area. No idea on the price.

[notenuftoys 0]

I've NO idea how their prices are but I've always been curious about these folks - http://www.chichesterinc.com/products.htm#A1

 

Certainly looks like they have a great variety - but like I've stated - I have NOOOO idea how their prices are. If you check them out, maybe you can share this info.

 

BCT

 

Oh, that's a great site! I could spend a lot of time and money, mostly money, at that site.

[notenuftoys 0]

See, I'm already spending time.

 

Take a look at these half-skin zonker strips. They have both barred and full color.

 

http://www.chichesterinc.com/RabbitZonkerStrips.htm

[1hook 0]

Wow that's a great resource, another thumbs up on the hobby lobby, didn't think of that will check mine out

[flytire 0]

http://www.black-bear-haversack.com/index.php/fur-tails-and-rabbit-pelts/rabbit-pelts.html

 

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/rabbit-pelts

 

https://www.etsy.com/market/rabbit_pelt

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

Be a bit cautious about rabbit skins since there's a good number of low cost skins - that don't work out very well for fly tying... They look nice, are easy to strip - but after one use on the water they deteriorate badly (another of those ask me how I know propositions...). If the shop you deal with stocks Wapsi materials have them quote you a price on whole or half skins dyed in your color of choice (or just use natural colors). You'll pay a bit more but get a much better product....

 

Not so long ago I picked up a nice white skin - did some stripping then tied up a few tarpon bunnies (as well as Swamp Rabbits - my own pattern...). A year later, brand new bunny flies would last a few casts then the tail (that all important rabbit tail) would just break off after a few casts.... Every fly I tied up with that particular low cost skin was a wasted effort - and that wasn't the first time it happened to me over the years -but I always was a slow learner....

 

Good quality rabbit skins aren't much money at all -considering how many bugs you can get off of one skin....

[whatfly 0]

Be a bit cautious about rabbit skins since there's a good number of low cost skins...[snip]

 

Good quality rabbit skins aren't much money at all -considering how many bugs you can get off of one skin....

Have wondered about that, and Capt. Lemay offers some good advice. The site Bellevue trout mentioned has "re-chromed" skins for example, a tanning process which whitens the skins as well as makes them more durable for dyeing. From the description, without this additional process, a skin is not likely to survive the hot dye bath well. Something else to take into consideration.

[1hook 0]

Thanks for the advise guys, I visited two of my local shops today and neither had whole skins...did end up buying some precut strips, that will get me by for now

[Kudu 0]

Try Thierault flies in Maine. You'll have to google and call. They raise a lot of their own stuff. Peterjay, member on here, recommended them. Fine folks. Only deal by phone.

[flytire 0]

http://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/Dressed.html

[deaddrifter 0]

Maybe a bit late to conversation but I've had excellent luck with Coffin Creek Furs out of Iowa. He does a really nice job on all his skins and very cost effective.

[feathers5 0]

Maybe a bit late to conversation but I've had excellent luck with Coffin Creek Furs out of Iowa. He does a really nice job on all his skins and very cost effective.

 

 

I've dealt with Coffin Creek and I've never been disappointed.