Do the whole hide. It is easier than messing with bits and pieces.

1. Wash the raw hide in a plastic garbage can in warm water with 1/4 cup Dawn dish washing detergent and a big double handful of borax. Let is soak for 20 minutes of so then agitate well.

2. Rinse well in cool water.

3. Scrape all of the fat and flesh from the hide while the hide is still wet. The toughest part will be the back of the neck and front shoulders. I use a hand ax and just push it off. The ax doesn't even have to have a handle in it.

4. Wash the hide again with the Dawn and borax.

5. Rinse well with cool water.

6. sling out as much water as possible.

7. Spread over some bushes or a fence to partially dry.

8. Stretch out on a sheet of 3/4 plywood flesh side down with 3 or 4 round dowles under it to keep the flesh off of the plywood and allow air to circulate. Allow to dry 1 day like this.

9. day tow remove from plywood and turn hair side down and re stretch. Dry for 2 days. After 2 days like this loosen one side and check the hair for dryness. If still damp turn the hide again and allow the hair to dry an additional 2 days.

10. Turn the hide hair side down and re stretch. Leave it until the flesh side has thoroughly drided. 2 - 3 weeks.

11. Cut into the pieces upi like and store with paradychlorobenzine moth balls or crystals.

Enjoy your fly tying with this wonderful material.