Tried some fun with fur

[skeetbum]

That's a good looking jig. The excess hair can be a pain. I sometimes capture the hair and stay away from the head with the thread a little, then take a NEW single edge razor and trim it off the head and continue the finish. I tried scissors, clippers and soon and have the best luck with this. You will cut the thread occasionally til you see hoe to do it. If it doesn't fall completely apart I can sometimes just continue over the cut and add a spot of sally just for insurance. Done this with bucktail and fox so far.

[VaCrappieMan]

I have the same burn tool skip mentioned an it works ok... kiptail burnt really stinks lol

[STUMP HUNTER]

I also clean every head before painting them but I use a pocket knife. The thread bodies looks the best when all the hair is covered with thread, but with this being one of his first jigs that he has tied I think he is on the right track and with this great info he will improve as all of us did.
I have one of the burners too but like y'all I don't use it on jigs

[Fatman]

They look good for your first ones - one thing I've learned with bear hair whether it's black, brown or grizzly - tie in small clumps. Cut as close to the hide as you can get - measure for length then cut off more if needed by the original cut, hold it tight and use a small comb to get some of the underfur out of it (save the underfur you can use if for dubbing on flies and or trade it to fly tyers) and it makes it way easier to tie on your jig. I always tie it on about a 1/16th of an inch from the bottom of the jig head and this allows you to 1- clip any long hairs you missed and really makes for a nice clean collar. Really saves on having to use a burner.

Tying Polar Bear is another whole story!!!!!!!!!!

Keep em coming they get easier.

[skiptomylu]

Polar Bear I have been told to use old Medical bottles from Rx, the large one and divide the different lengths in to their like sizes and use on different ties. Seems smart use and avoids waste since it such a high cost material.

[Fatman]

Yeah either med bottles or a small tupperware container to hold it. I always make sure to keep any underfur it makes really nice fly bodies.