As my local reputation (perhaps infamy) as a fly tier spreads, I find myself the recipient of some interesting unsolicited gifts. Most recently I have found myself the owner of a large quantity of horse hair. It is pretty interesting stuff, nice and translucent, makes really realistic thin bodies and is really tough. The only fly patterns I have ever seen call for it are the bunyan bug which uses it as wings, and the horse hair caddis and the 3-bar-x which are on this site. It has certainly been around fly fishing from the very early days as the first lines were made of braided horse hair. But does anyone know of any fly patterns of fly tying techniques that employ it?
Look for George Grants tying books or Potts Flies. Eighter one will use hosrse hair for woven bodies. Ron
My favorite mosquito pattern is tied with horse hair! Very durable and the trouts like 'em!!
i would think you could use it also in streamer paterns
to replace bucktail
deepending on color of hair its works well for a top cover on nymphs patterns wrapped over with small copper wire.ed madan.