Hair/fur/feather comparisons

Has anyone compiled a comparison of different hair/fur materials?

I have recently started tying and have a lot to learn. Rather than buying tons of materials, I was hoping to find some info about various hair lengths, softness/action.

I have tried tying some from Maribou and buck tails. I was looking to find something that has an action between the two that have fairly long fibers. I get the impression that arctic fox or rabbit might be good options.

My passion is crappie fishing, so at this point I am only interested in tying crappie jigs and not flies.

Rabbit, arctic fox and bear hair would be 3 good bets for crappie baits. The rabbit and fox you can cut off the skin and tie in or easier is to have them cut into straight and cross-cut zonker strips. Bear you'll have to cut off the hide and tie in unless you can find a REALLY soft tanned bear hide.

So may different ones and probably you should go to a shop that sells materials, Bass Pro or Cabela's. A fly fishing/tying shop would even be better. That way you can feel the difference yourself! It's not really very hard to just think about it for a few minutes and probably can come up with several options. Rabbit is so soft that I think it's kind of the hair of marabou and deer is stiff, bit some are even more stiff. A lot of guys like fishing kip tail which is just calf hair.

All feathers are different and you should just spend some time reading a place like Fly Anglers On Line and learn a lot of good things. There are so many options and even Hackle has so many kinds. Besides you seem to know what your looking for and just need to go feel it.

Maybe look into taking a tying class?

Skip

Squirrel tail could be an option for you too. Not to mention easy to peel off the highway if you're after the natural gray or brown look. You will get some looks though when you're froggering it across the road with a pair of shears in your hand....

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Originally Posted by callmecamo

Squirrel tail could be an option for you too. Not to mention easy to peel off the highway if you're after the natural gray or brown look. You will get some looks though when you're froggering it across the road with a pair of shears in your hand....

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Yes and pretty easy to tie. Also can buy dyed tails.

Skip

In my area there are two smaller Cabellas, but neither has any tying supplies. I've been to the local Field and Stream as well as Bass Pro, but their supply was somewhat limited and neither had arctic fox that I could check out. There is a Gander Mountain north of me but I haven't been there to see what they carry.

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Originally Posted by CrappieDreamer

Has anyone compiled a comparison of different hair/fur materials?

I have recently started tying and have a lot to learn. Rather than buying tons of materials, I was hoping to find some info about various hair lengths, softness/action.

I have tried tying some from Maribou and buck tails. I was looking to find something that has an action between the two that have fairly long fibers. I get the impression that arctic fox or rabbit might be good options.

My passion is crappie fishing, so at this point I am only interested in tying crappie jigs and not flies.

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If you're a new tyer and love crappie fishing, I suggest focusing on one type of jig until you can tie it in your sleep. The basic "chenille body with marabou tail" jig will catch crappie anywhere in the country. The only materials you need are ... marabou and chenille.

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Originally Posted by CrappieDreamer

In my area there are two smaller Cabellas, but neither has any tying supplies. I've been to the local Field and Stream as well as Bass Pro, but their supply was somewhat limited and neither had arctic fox that I could check out. There is a Gander Mountain north of me but I haven't been there to see what they carry.

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Well a few things to consider, length of hair you like because kip tails usually are not long much at all, but Fox is much longer as is Deer and some others. Rabbit is soft as can be, but again length is shorter and when I tie Rabbit I tie with the hide on like Zonker or Crosscut strips. Arctic Fox is about as soft as it gets and has medium length, but you could also just buy Fox tails as the hair is plenty long enough and you can get them dyed. Lot of jigs will come off of one tail! It's just hard for us to know what your really looking for.

Also what dtegb4disco said is correct and marabou is very hard to beat with any material IMHO! The action is so f fantastic!

Skip

Always heard squirrel hair

I found a red fox road kill that was minutes old, and he wasn't using the tail anymore soooooo...... Hair is more available pretty readily in that way. Robbing some of the dog or cat too. Arctic fox is a favorite of mine with lots of action, but it wasn't cheap last time I checked. Kiptail works very easy and is affordable. Have fun and move along at your own pace, it's just fun.

Started out tying Squirrel tails, buck tails,Duck feather's ect.As a kid used vice grips for a tying vise and to hold the boat to limbs and such.Still use today.Watching and learning form Fatman posts have tried to learn to dye my own tails,feather's and other materials and watch his post on different types of materials too tye with.Very informative!! do a search on Fatman's post on materials.Be glad you did!!

If you want to do the Arctic Fox - Waters West has assorted tail grab bags or you can get a 1/4 or 1/2 or full or select piece
Arctic Fox : Waters West Fly Fishing Outfitters, Port Angeles, WA

The bags are VERY nice, they have a Natural or Bright Pack, these are the ones I got.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_7311.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_7309.jpg

If you want the rabbit strips a cheap way to get a bunch is get the Hareline Assorted pieces pack and cut your zonker strips yourself. Check around for the best price.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...f/100_7151.jpg

Couple bags cut em up and you'll have a bunch
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_6841.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_6844.jpg

No one mentioned craft fur. If you are a beginner then no need for expensive materials. Craft fur could be what you are looking for . As the name says any craft store has and in almost any color you can imagine. Also the price is beyond right. Very easy to use and has good action and sheen to it. Also you can get some Christmas tree tinsel for a little flash. Yes the fly shops have some very nice materials to play with but as a beginner I would concentrate on tying and correcting your mistakes!

I am also very new to tying crappie jigs but im already enjoying it. I have already had success with some jigs i tied from red fox squirrel tail. Might be something to try if u havent

Check out
https://www.feather-craft.com/
Great persons working there with one of the largest mail-order line in the county! Get on their mailing list and receive coupons weekly for discounts and shipping paid for specified size of orders! I know the place well, as it a leading store here in St. Louis, Mo. Fast order with via phone for those times you need if fast!
Just picked up a $200 order a week ago, with all the materials you noted.... fox, rabbit, and more feathers!

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for your compulsive tendencies, should you use the link and open their catalog! Good Luck and shop wisely. If in doubt, have your spouse confirm the appropriateness of your order prior to sending it off!

Like you CrappieDreamer I am just getting into tying and it is almost overwhelming looking at all of the different materials. Right now I've stuck with deer hair and maribou but looking to branch out. Addictedangler mentioned craft fur which I looked at the other day but wasn't sure about how it would hold up in water and in battle. I might have to get some now just to try it. Keep me posted on what you decide. Tightlines

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I have some of each now, including some nice saltwater neck hackle I bought from Skip.

Tread lightly, it's even more addicting than they let on!

While shorter hair don't wright off kip tails and I can tell you the Louisiana guys love that stuff. I had some guys ask me to try and make some like they were use to and I got some heads for that and tied 2 samples up to see. I took them down to the bank and it was in March that year so I plopped one of them in just maybe a foot off my bank. I did have a float about a foot up the line and I let it sit for just a little bit and decided I liked another spot just a couple feet away so I pulled it out and when I did I saw a gold looking flash under it. So I put it right back in and soon he hit it and I pulled out a big old fatty, then over the next few minutes I pulled out two more. Of the 3 crappie the smallest was 14 1/2" and would have kept at it, but had things to do and really learned all I needed to know. This kip tail that I have always had no real respect for just pulled out 3 really nice big crappie and now I had to admit this material is awesome stuff! So if using hair just don't look over kip tails and think bad of it because it really is a fish catching hair for sure! I will offer that maybe on most you want to stick to a #6 Sickle hook so it's shorter and the kip will cover the hook up even if it's the shorter versions of kip tails. You can if you really try to get some that is not so short!

Skip