Jump to content
Fly Tying

Recommended Posts

I am tying up hopper patterns for the upcoming year and have been looking at using a madame x for this purpose. One problem I am finding is that I cannot keep it afloat. I have put just about as much deer hair on it as I can and am using foam legs.

 

My question to the illustrious forum follows:

Should I be using an alternative to deer tail hair? Should I be using deer body hair?

 

And, is this pattern just used with floatant because it generally sinks?

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You ned to use deer hair not tail.Tail doesn't float body hair does.Try spraying with a waterproofer after tying.Then use ginks or something similar when fishing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Try using body hair not tail,body hair floats,bucktail doesn't.After tying spray with a waterproofer. Use a floatant like ginks or something similar when fishing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The deer body hair should do the trick.

 

If not then use some 2 mm closed cell foam from Walmart to under wrap the body just don't bind it down and completely cover it with thread.

 

Irish

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Go to: Doug Swisher Madam X. Doug has photo step by step sequence tying instructions and material list to use in the original Madam X. The Hair is Cow Elk, which is far superior in floating than Bull Elk (blonde) and "thicker" than normal whitetail or mule deer and I think is more durable. Cow Elk has basically the same colorations as whitetail deer. I hope this helps.

 

Mad Scientist

Fly Tyers Dungeon

 

 

user posted image

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...