One of the best ways to not only store, but to use
bucktail, is to separate the colors.
Now I am not talking keeping blue separate from brown
etc. I mean separating the main color of the bucktail
from the usually darker center section. Or as it grows
on the deer, separating the white from the brown.
If you look at the skin side of the tail you will see
clearly defined wide dark "vein" in the skin. This is
the dark or brown hair of the tail as seen from the back.
Now if you will take a razor blade or a hobby knife and
carefully cut down this vein, you will actually separate
the dark from the lighter bucktail.
You may have to do a tad of trimming if you were not exact
in your cutting, but, you now have three distinct pieces
of bucktail, two light, or white, and one dark, or brown.
These store very easy, especially if you travel. But, more
importantly they will actually tie more flies than the
hair left together on the tail. And selecting a "bunch"
is a real joy with this technique!
If you have any tips or techniques, send them along,
most of this material has been stolen from somebody,
might as well steal your ideas too!
~ George E. Emanuel
(Chat Room Host Muddler)
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