Learn how to prepare squirrel tails for fly tying in this comprehensive step-by-step guide. From skinning to cleaning and dyeing, this guide will cover everything you need to know to get your squirrel tails ready for your next fly tying project. I have some Bucktails and squirrel tails I would like to dye colors for my personal tying use.
I'm wanting to use the fur I have harvested myself from hunting. Has anyone here dyed fur themselves and would be willing to share your how to information? Thanks. FWIW Add mothballs to the bag or box that you put you deer/squirrel tails in.You will never have bug problems that way.
Only other tip is to have all the fat removed from the tails before you try to dye them I always put Borax and salt on my deer tails and were dry and partly tanned before I started. First time dying up some squirrel tails to use for jig tying. Squirrel tails are pretty easy to dye.
After you have dried and cured them follow these instructions. Silver Creek, Veniards or Jaquard are good acid dyes. DYEING FOR FLY TYING Wash the materials well in warm water with washing up liquid Even better use Synthrapol (Greasy materials like Bucktail or Waterfowl need extra washing or use Veniards.
Bleaching and dying squirrel tails? by Mangrove Cuckoo Sat Oct 02, 2021 5:21 pm Lars, Where can I find information on these techniques? I love using squirrel tail material, especially on the tail of poppers, but it only comes in one color around here banded squirrel grey. Preparing the Bucktail The deer tails (bucktails) I acquire for jig tying usually still have the bone in the tail, are dirty and, many times, bloody. Hence, they require careful preparation before beginning the dying process to ensure the best possible outcome.
The first step is to clean and remove the natural oils from the deer tails (bucktails). I use liquid RIT dye, dip 'em in the full strength RIT, wring 'em out a bit wearing rubber gloves, rinse 'em and voila, dyed bucktail, squirrel hair, you, the kids, the dog, the kid's dog, and anything else that gets within 10ft. The Wapsi Dyed Squirrel Tails are hand-selected prime tails among the most widely used tails in fly tying, for streamer wings, hair wings and tails and hackles.
Available in single colors. Wapsi Dyed Squirrel Tails are cleaned in large industrial washing machines. Those that will be dyed are then transferred to large dye vats.
After the skins are dyed the appropriate colors, they are stretched. Squirrel Tail lends itself well to dries, streamers and wet flies. When dyed, its natural background pattern creates an alluring result with the dye seeping into the lighter natural tans and blondes while keeping the darker guard hairs relatively unchanged.
Tails average about ten inches although the natural Pine Squirrel is shorter.