does anyone use this for tying crayfish or streamers? could you share a pattern? i am search-function impaired and couldn’t find what i was after in the fly archives on this amazing site.
I use squirrel tail for my crayfish. Okay…So I Know its nothing to do with Raccoon…But I just couldnt resist my opinion. BTW, never tried raccoon.
I like Raccoon body fur for backs on minnow Imitation’s as well as spinner and prop flies… www.willowford.net Fox Statler’s site and there you can checkout his Spinnered minner fly…as well as in this sites FOTW Archives…I tie mine differently than he…but you’ll get the general idea…
Look for any recipe that calls for badger, and substitute your racoon.
Maybe this should be in the favorite Recipe column:D
However if you have a porcupine on hand and don’t want the danger of skining it, just take what ever quills you need for tying and then roll it in mud after gutting it which is safe and easy, then bake on hot coals for four hours when done smack it with a heavy stick and the quills and skin come right off then enjoy, my stepfather taught me that when I was 8 or 9 yrs old,
CaseyP:
Try bleaching some small patches of 'coon for a great creamy white dubbing. I used it exclusively for years as dubbing for light bodied mayflies and nymphs. It also blended great with the natural raccoon color to yield various shades of tan.
BTW; while plain old drug store peroxide will work, the stuff sold in beauty supply stores for hair works WAY faster although it is more expensive. Just read the instructions on the bottle and get yourself a bowl. Make sure to wash the raccoon with some Dawn or other degreasing dishwashing liquid first. It doesn’t have to be dry before bleaching. Just pull it out of the peroxide when you think it is the color you want; rinse and blow dry. If it is still too dark; pop it in for a bit longer.
I think you will be pleased with the results.
Ha ha I should have paid more attention we are talking fly tying recipes. Wow that was areal brain F##T:confused::oops:
I think you could substitute raccoon for silver fox, or just fox if you wanted something a little lighter then the fox.
for the suggestions, especially about the peroxide and the “recipes calling for badger.” someone has given me a coat that her ex told her years ago made her look like a badger. 
the coat was on its way to the Humane Society where they use old furs in caring for orphan baby animals. thought i’d see if there was something else we could use it for.
btw–anyone want to share? there’s PLENTY!
the squirrel-tail crayfish pattern sounds good. i’ll let you know how i make out. hey–if you can peroxide it with beauty products, must be you could dye it too…the crayfish in my stream are reddish…watch this space for Red-Headed Raccoon Crayfish courtesy Lady Clairol! 