SSMinnow

*grabs popcorn* ~ hehe just kidding guys. I have been following my post throughout and reading all replies everyday. I figured now was the time to chime back in. Life has taught me that everyone has their own opinion, and I respect each one of their opinions. It is nice to see a good discussion and back-and-forth. Unfortunately, the hide is too old to cure properly. It does not stink, smell, nor is it rotted; but it is not salvageable either for strips. I have no experience with deer hair length from southern states, but it can get very cold where i am from, and I have pulled hairs off that are any where from 3" to 5" in length. Now as being very new to tying, I think these hairs are even long enough for tying some healthy sized streamers. (anyone can correct me if i am wrong). IMHO they are even long enough to tie for hair jigs for walleyes for these parts. And I have some free hide to experiment with using the kool-aid dyes. I have gotten some great colors to come out, but unfortunately, the hairs have become too brittle. Still experimenting, and it could be a few different things. (I wont go into that here, because I have pages upon pages of logs) As for the WAPSI hair. I have seen that hair, and it is very nice. But in the end, it is only dyed deer hair. I will be able to figure out how to produce nice colored hair that retains its soft texture with some more experimenting. (Anyone can learn anything they want, if they have youtube ). So for the price I would spend for 1 or 2 strips of WAPSI, I can have a full deer hide cut and colored in a full range. (And I have a few friends that get a few deer each season.) That is just my $0.02 and if you find any fault in my way of thinking, you are more than welcome to reply back. Again, it was nice to hear from a couple different viewpoints, and thanks for posting on one of my first threads to help inform me with insight from seasoned guys.

Thank you very much for the great advice. Thanks for tip. I found a video on you-tube for this. I just put in an order to them today. I can't wait to get my first bobbin and threads! This sounds like me. I will have to learn more patience.

I just counted how many flies i have tied. A total of 15. Most of them are with yarn, and some feathers I have picked up from the yard. I am very new to this. I don't have a nice vise, or bobbin yet. And unfortunately my ties are made from regular sewing thread. (I am putting in a order for thread and bobbin tomorrow tho.) Below, I will provide a link for my very first deer hair fly on a size 10 Mustaad hook. I would very much like your criticism to help me become a better tier. 1.) I could tell i used too much hair when spinning it on. 2.) I think i should trim it alot more. 3.) I think i should have used more tail material. This is my 15th fly ever tied, but first with deer hair. Sorry for the poor quality pic, but its the best i can do with my phone. My link

OK Toirtis, I am very new here. And have spent my time reading and learning. I don't know how to post nice pics yet, but i do know how to give you links. I hope you guys and gals get a great laugh. http://s1020.photobucket.com/albums/af322/craigersworld/?action=view&current=Mar03_001.jpg#!oZZ3QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1020.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf322%2Fcraigersworld%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DMar03_001.jpg next: http://s1020.photobucket.com/albums/af322/craigersworld/?action=view&current=Mar03_001.jpg#!oZZ2QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1020.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf322%2Fcraigersworld%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DMar03_002.jpg and: http://s1020.photobucket.com/albums/af322/craigersworld/?action=view&current=Mar03_001.jpg#!oZZ1QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1020.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf322%2Fcraigersworld%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DMar03_003.jpg

wow! your talent amazes me! i like it alot

Thanks guys! And to flymanaj, i am not knocking roadkill...sorry if it sounded that way. I just meant that roadkill was going to be next best free hair until deer season rolls around next season.

It wont be for another 10 months or so, unless i get some roadkill..hehe. But after joining here (about a day ago), I spent about 6 hours reading posts with curing keywords. I think from what i have learned, the Borax method is about the best that most people here use. Thank you for your time posting and helping me. It is very appreciated. Oh BTW: I read some more tonight, and i was cutting the pieces the wrong way. I was cutting from the hair side. I took another sample and cut from the hide side. Much better results. I should have known that, as it seems like common sense to do that, but still this hide is not the best. All this hair is going to give my hours upon hours of practice and enjoyment.

Wow those are some very nice flies. And these vises leave me drooling. What i am using as a beginner could be called unique, but really i think 'redneck' is a better term lol!

Thanks for the replies. And yes, i can barely manipulate it and the hair is falling off. Oh well, it was free! I have never tied with deer hair yet, so at least it will be stuff i can experiment with and practice with. And can practice some dyes with it as well. This forum is so helpful. I am glad I found it! Thank you again.

I have a 2 part question. I picked up a deer hide today. A friend of mine shot the deer during season and field dressed it. Well this hide has been sitting out in the field for at least a month. It looked to be in pretty good shape so i bagged it and took it home. But it seems that when i cut off a small section to experiment with, a lot of hair fell off the hide. Is it too old; and too far gone? or maybe too cold? (clueless) My next question is about dyeing it. I was thinking about cutting it up into manageable pieces, bleaching them, and then dyeing them. And then cure it using the Borax method that i have read here. Is this a correct way?

I think my vise could win a red-neck of the year award!

New to fly tying, and was directed to this site from someone on another forum about a question I had about dyeing. I have been reading for hours non-stop. Awesome forums and talented tier's on here. Glad to be a part of this.