Polar Bear

All about flies Fly Tying
1

Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can pick up some Polar Bear hair? Is there an acceptable substitute for this stuff?

Thanks,

Fred

2

i did a quick forum search for “polar bear” and came up with “the serious fisherman” and “tight lines fly fishing”

3

I can’t remember where I saw it listed, but it is very expensive.

Rick

4

I’m like Rick…saw it listed somewhere…actually following up on another thread where this was discussed… and I thought it was prohibitive for a one inch square.

As far as substitutes go… see a thread I started below about yak hair…JC and I got to fooling around and the thread died but I think it was because probably no one has had real experience comparing the two. They sure look similar to me in the sunlight …PB may be just a little more translucent.
In the “tight lines fly fishing” link by Crotalus they have yak hair and tout it in the place of PB.

5

I beleive Bearlodge angler carries it [url=http://www.bearlodgeangler.com:54659]www.bearlodgeangler.com[/url:54659]

$14 for a 2 inch square piece

6

The closest substitute is Calf Tail after it is washed and treated with a small amount of hair conditioner.

The calf tail has a similar translucence however, it is hard to find long lengths.

Regards,
FK

7

Thanks for the help, guys. I appreciate it.

Fred

8

I believe that a shop in Spokane Washington carries it.

The Serious Fisherman
(509) 922-5832

9

It’s cheaper in Canada!

10

“Its cheaper in Canada”

But illegal to import it

11

Fred, RW here

I just looked at your profile. Are you just funnin us or did you come back from the grave?
By the way, how is Aunt Ester?

Later, RW

“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-

12

Its free at the zoo. Just hang around after it closes and when you see his eyes close and start snoring, snip off as much as you need.

13

I have some Polar bear that I obtained legally and when comparing I have found the best substitute is white skunk fur IMHO. This can be purchased (obviously with the black/dark brown fur as well) very reasonably from Moscow Hide and fur (hideandfur.com). The skunk fur has a very similar sheen and ties up with just about the same profile.

Jim Smith

14

Thanks again for the info, guys. Appreciate it.

RW, Ester is down with her rheumatiz…and that Lamont and Bubba are about to drive me crazy. Which is why I took up fly fishing. At least now, I can drink Aunt Ester’s rheumatiz medicine in peace!

Fred

15

thanks guy…just what I needed another link for me to be nosey and spend money lol…hope my order gets here quick…

“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best

“Wish ya great fishing”