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Guide to Selecting the Perfect
Hair
By Stephen
Kennerk
Photos By Terry
Griffiths
The term 'Deer Hair" when used in
fly tying is usually associated with all types of hollow
hair. This poses a problem, since many tyers assume that
all hollow hair is the same, with the same
characteristics. This couldn't be further from the
truth. The hair from cloven hoof animals such as
Deer, Elk, Antelope, and Moose is hollow, but the
similarities end there.
The difference is in the texture
and thickness of the hair strands. This texture is
mainly governed by geography and the climate influences
of that environment. Simply put, animals from colder
climates will carry heavier hair than those from more moderate
temperatures. Other factors which come into the equation
are: the time of year the animal is harvested, age of
the animal, sex, and the location of hair on the body, as in
the mane, hock, belly, or rump.
The hair strand can be broken down
into two distinct sections: the shaft and the tip.
The shaft of the hair, which is usually gray in color,
is hollow, while the tip, which is the color usually
associated with that animal, is not hollow and will not
compress. Also, Texas Whitetail Deer have a micro hair
extending out of the solid tip called a 'growth' hair which
makes stacking very difficult and not recommended.
Hair textures can be put into three
categories:
| FINE: |
Usually will not flare, ideal for down wing flies
and tails. |
| MEDIUM: |
Flares to a limited degree - up to
45° - excellent for Caddis
and Comparaduns. |
| COARSE: |
Flares fully to 90°, used for clipped body flies
such as Muddlers and Bass
flies. | |
Pictured
L-R: top - Caddis, Irresistible, Green Highlander,
bottom - MacSalmon, and a Hopper.
Click on a
hair TYPE to learn more about it.
* All of
our Deer Hair is Mule Deer unless otherwise
stated. |
