Combing Underfur on Elk/Deer
Hi All. Sorry to ask a question that I'm sure has come before, but I wanted to ask the board about any tricks they may have on combing out the underhair on Elk or Deer. I am tying up some Madam X flies and was struggling a little when getting the hair ready for stacking. I like the Madam X as real simple tie to get into handling this type of hair. First effort wasn't too bad, (I'll let the fish be the judge about that!) but suggestions appreciated!
Thanks,
Good Tying and Good Fishing!
Bob
You can buy combs made especially for cleaning out clumps of hair but I just use a regular combs fine side and it works just fine for me.
I just use a cheap plastic comb. Static electricity will cause the fuzz to stick to it, which is a nuisance, but I just wipe it off with an old laundry drier sheet. There are "special" bone combs which alleviate this problem, but I don't think it's worth the extra cost. Your call.
Regards,
Scott
If you can find a textile mill which is still operating, they use some sort of really fine comb in the process. Friends got a stash of them and fabricate "combs" from them.
Christopher Chin
Flea comb from the pet store. They have them in several tooth spacings.
Moustache combs work pretty well too.
Happiness is wading boots that never have a chance to dry out.
wasatch makes a good comb, it serves the purpose and looks good too
A toothbrush works for me.
Avoid the rotating electric models, though.
The most valuable thing I've learned about fly fishing is just how little I really know.
"With integrity, nothing else matters. Without integrity, nothing else matters." ~ Winston Churchill
Before stacking, grasp the very tips of the cut hairs between thumb and index finger, purse your lips and blow hard into the base of the hairs (Sometimes a little 'rolling' action of the tips will aid the process).
Pinch the cut ends in your other hand and you will have nearly all of the "fines" and underfur ready to remove from the tip end. Just pull them through and dispose or save for a dubbing.
Just another HappyHooker
Catching and Releasing Fisher-folk for 40+years
I'm with Scott...
Cheap plastic comb..works great and I like the 'longer' teeth over the moustache and 'made for the fly tying market' combs (I'm usually spinning deer hair for bass bugs, don't want to comb it in little batches...).
Besdies, did I mention they are cheap...you can get five or six of them at the dollar store for...a dollar!
Buddy
It Just Doesn't Matter....
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