I am tying some of Bob Wyatt’s patterns, and his SH Emerger calls for a wing of Snowshoe Hare foot fur. I don’t have any, but I do have some Antron and Zelon floss that I can fluff up and tie on. What do you more experienced tiers think of that working adequately? Or would you recommend using some other substitute?
Many thanks,
GGH
I don’t believe antron is hydrophobic (water resistant) so you probably wouldn’t want to use that. I like the polypro stuff like Congo Hair, EP Fibers, etc, that shed water; might want to give that a try. Of course, snowshoe hare’s foot is pretty cheap and available, too.
Regards,
Scott
Spoke to a snowshoe hare this morning and he disagreed with you…
i woud use polypro yarn
I’ve used poly yarn as a sub for snowshoe hare in the past and it works ok. Its worth getting the real stuff IMO, but poly yarn is ok in a pinch.
Go get the real stuff, there really isn’t a good replacement for it. You’ll love it.
CDC not cheap but better. Not a synthetic substitute but will float better than poly.
The real deal works best:
http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/naturesspiritt/Natures_Spirit_Snowshoe_Rabbit.htm
CDC is a pain when it gets slimed…elegant, makes for beautiful ties…
This synthetic is treated with watershed and is used by Craig Matthews…a lot:
http://www.epflies.com/estore/products/4893
PT/TB
What does Matthews use? Oops, sorry, it’s those trigger point fibers.
Does he tie anything besides streamers?
I agree with ep fibers but expensive for a small amount. I also find that rabbit foot mats very easy, thats why i like cdc. Whatever one enjoys, as long as the fish eats it.
Gene
Craig Matthews ties just about everything…Kelly Galloup is the Streamer guy…down the road…
PT/TB
The feet are so affordable, and very easy to work with…can’t imagine using anything else.
If the rabbit foot is matting it is not snowshoe… Or is from the top of the foot…
So I’ve heard rumors that snowshoe hare is getting difficult to source right now. Anyone else hear or see that? I have a good supply, so I haven’t been too worried. But IMO, if you can get the real deal, go with the real deal.
hap, totally disagree, it will waterlog just like any material!! And by the way I know what side is up.
“Matting” as you first posted is not the same as waterlogging. Rabbit foot has enough stiffness that it does not matt and dries quickly with a false cast. The waterlogging is certainly possible with rabbit, but as I said it dries more easily than most anything, IME.
Ok define stiffness, hackle is stiff. Matt or waterlog I’ll take CDC, and I won’t stand in the stream false casting my arm off either.
I still think rabbit is better. In my humble opinion, it floats better, longer, and is more visibile. Once CDC gets wet and fish slimey it’s pretty worthless. But, they are both serviceable. Just my opinion.
We all have a right to our opinions and I respect yours and others. Where I fish CDC serves my fishing a little better. I can tie a thinner profile dry.
Yes, you do have a point with smaller flies.
Thanks