Where do tying supplies come from?

[YoungEagle 0]

Have you ever thought about where companies like Hareline and Spirit River get their feathers and hides?

 

When you walk into your local fly shop or when you order from J Stockard, some material is easy to tell where it came from. I buy some Mustad hooks or I pick up a spool of Uni Thread. No doubt where these were produced. I know Whiting raises the chickens that we purchase when we buy a neck.

 

If I pick up a package of mallard flank, how did Spirit River obtain those feathers?

 

Have you ever thought about it?

 

I'm assuming they come from ducks that were harvested by hunters. Does anyone know?

 

How about Emu, African Goat, Guinea, Golden Pheasants, and other animals that are not usually native to the U.S.?

[flytyer56 0]

Just my opinion. Personaly I beleive most, not all, but most of the feathers and hides are from pen raised animals. I just don't see how they could get enough of certain items any other way. That is just my $.02 worth.

[J. R. Caddick 0]

Lets see, most of the "exotic pheasants" are raised for either show or strictly as stock for fly tying.

 

I know of a large breeder in Quebec that raises turkeys, peacocks and jungle cock specifically for flytying.

 

Animals like deer, moose, bear, coyote, woodchuck, antelope, squirrels and more are harvested by hunters and the hides sold to various companies.

 

For materials like fox, some goat, calf, mink and rabbit they either come from farmers who raise the animals for other purposes and get extra income from the pelts, ranches who specialise in raising animals for the fur trade or from trappers who's pelts don't make a high enough grade to be used for fur coats.

 

A lot of the quills and feathers we use come from birds (ducks, geese, partridge, ringneck pheasants) harvested by hunters.

 

A lot of our commonly used inexpensive hackle comes from overseas (Indian necks, Chinese necks, strung saddle hackle).

 

That should give you a bit better of an understanding of where some of our more commonly used materials come from.

[sandflyx 0]

the manufacturer of rooster tail spinners advertiszes buying squirrel tails.. some fly suppliers buy materials from hunters....I'm looking for grouse hunters around here for feathers for the shop...

[Graham 0]

I took these interesting photos two days ago....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alex C. 0]

[Joe Hard 0]

Duck Fishing? What I am curious about is how they die barred rabbit strips.

[Graham 0]

My pics were off topic.. But soon you'll see that duck on tv, in a new Comcast commercial, and the ducks beak will change colors...

 

[Alex C. 0]

So Graham :whistle:

 

Any chance you'll be putting your photography skills to work for any of the major tabloids?

I can see it now, "Brittany Spears calls The Solar Expert to install a solar panel on her home, then he is later arrested for having secretly taken half-nude(hey it's a family forum) pictures of her instead, and selling them to the National Enquirer"

[Graham 0]

Hey OLB,

In the past 25 years I've put solar on the homes of many well known celebrities, producers, writers, etc. That's what I specialize in, and have a good reputation for high quality craftsmanship. I've never asked to take a photo and the only autograph I want is on check...lol... here's a couple pics of me with some celebrities

And Woody was fun to work with... Party time....

 

Sorry this got so off topic...

 

Graham

[DaUP 0]

holy $#!T theres Becker

 

and now back to your regularly scheduled topic

 

i was always under the impression the material fairy made everything

[sandflyx 0]

Hey Graham,

If you are ever lookin for a place to try out a new system I would be happy to let you use my place...being on s.s.i. i cant afford to buy a system..