deer/elk hair

[lee majors]

hiya

I have seen some fly tying instructions specifying elk hair and some specifying deer hair, what are the differences if any between the two or are they interchangeable in fly dressings?

thanks

lee

[stickfloat]

Originally Posted by lee majors

hiya

I have seen some fly tying instructions specifying elk hair and some specifying deer hair, what are the differences if any between the two or are they interchangeable in fly dressings?

thanks

lee

Elk hair is better for winging as its tips don't flair as much as Deer hair when being tied in..Its all down to appearance

Stickfloat

[lee majors]

thanks stickfloat, i have just tied some elk hair caddis using deer hair and found it flared quite badly...although that was probably my bad tying technique aswell!

[steve101]

Does one of them float better than the other?

[darwin]

Here is a link that has high level information on fur.
Fly Tying Hair & Fur, Arctic fox, Deer & Elk hair, fly tying kits, fly tying hackle, fly tying feathers, fly tying supplies, fly tying materials
A guy by the name of Chris Helm has some information on his website and has a few DVDs out on the subject. Not sure if they are at the rent places.
You also have to consider the hook size and use something appropriate for the size. HTH

Here is a nice article on hair/fur by Charlie Craven. Tying Fishing Flies, Hair Selection - MidCurrent