Moles...and not the kind on ur nose!

[articwolf]

I have acquired a source for getting ..moles..the little star-nose mole to be exact..so here is my question..I would like to try my hand at dying a few different colours, but the natural colour is gray tones. And so, do I attempt to 'bleach' it as white as possible or...just proceed to use the colour of choice over it as it is? As some of you already know that mole fur is very fine and is extremely useful when creating body dubbing for tiny flies, and it is hard to find in some of the local fly shops for me, but can order out..but I'm a great cook....hahaa.

[arkle]

Over the years several people have supplied both dyed & bleached. & bleached & dyed moleskins. They never been a huge seller as the nap is challenging to remove from the skin & it's very short so is not easy to dub for a lot of tyers. I doubt if this is going to get your Caribbean retirement much more than a yard closer.

[articwolf]

Originally Posted by arkle

Over the years several people have supplied both dyed & bleached. & bleached & dyed moleskins. They never been a huge seller as the nap is challenging to remove from the skin & it's very short so is not easy to dub for a lot of tyers. I doubt if this is going to get your Caribbean retirement much more than a yard closer.

Sorry m8...but I'm not selling the skins...I want them for my self, however, I do need help in the dying department, because I've not dyed fur before...

..and as far as skinning these creatures are concern..it was a snap for me, at one point in one of my growing careers, I even skinned cadavers, for it was my job as a biological technician.

[badcaster]

Originally Posted by arkle

... as the nap is challenging to remove from the skin & it's very short so is not easy to dub for a lot of tyers.

I find an easy way to remove mole fur from the skin is to use a pair of fine (extra) long nose pliers. These can easily grab multiple bunches of fur and it will fill a dubbing tub in no time.

As well as being short it is also extremely fine which I find makes it if anything easier to dub and the end result can be superb.

Apologies Artic..I've no experience of dying the fur, I've only ever used it plain Lady Jane..

[articwolf]

Originally Posted by badcaster

I find an easy way to remove mole fur from the skin is to use a pair of fine (extra) long nose pliers. These can easily grab multiple bunches of fur and it will fill a dubbing tub in no time.

As well as being short it is also extremely fine which I find makes it if anything easier to dub and the end result can be superb.

Apologies Artic..I've no experience of dying the fur, I've only ever used it plain Lady Jane..

no apologies needed m8.. I've used black,gray, and olive fur that was given to me by another tier, and you are correct...very fine fur excellent, and actually quite easy to dub with...use it a lot on my CDC olive caddis.

[tinsoldier]

general rule of thumb is you cant dye dark shades light,so with your mole you should try bleaching first then dying the colors you want,only colors that might work over the natural would be a dark dun ,black,maybe a dark oliveor soem interesting darks claret tones,experiment and see what happens

[arkle]

Badcaster, I've been tying for 40+ years & have done a fair amount of pro-tying, so please don't think I am unaware of how to use moleskin.

I was simply putting the perspective of a lot of people who were less likely to use it as they have a lesser amount of experience or just can't be bothered with it.

If moleskins were that popular, why don't more shops & stockists keep them ?

[articwolf]

Originally Posted by arkle

Badcaster, I've been tying for 40+ years & have done a fair amount of pro-tying, so please don't think I am unaware of how to use moleskin.

I was simply putting the perspective of a lot of people who were less likely to use it as they have a lesser amount of experience or just can't be bothered with it.

If moleskins were that popular, why don't more shops & stockists keep them ?

Now I've highlight two sections of your comment for a particular reason, ...

..in the first portion, you stated that you have been 'tying for 40+', then with all of your experience why haven't you given me any help when that is what I asked for...even if it was a guideline, at least I could follow something.

..as for this part, this statement is bunk, for there is one of the top 10 tiers who by the way is a member in this forum from Europe, a friend of mine and his production of certain type of flies are dubbed with mole skin, so it seems that some ppl use it and others don't ..but..isn't that the case of any or all material!

[midlander]

Got out the wrong side of the bed AW? It looks like there's been a serious case of crossed wires along this short thread so please calm down lads.

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

[A] general rule of thumb is you cant dye dark shades light,so with your mole you should try bleaching first then dying the colors you want,only colors that might work over the natural would be a dark dun ,black,maybe a dark oliveor soem interesting darks claret tones,experiment and see what happens

That's about the size of it. If you've a more specific question, please ask.

[articwolf]

Originally Posted by midlander

Got out the wrong side of the bed AW? It looks like there's been a serious case of crossed wires along this short thread so please calm down lads.



That's about the size of it. If you've a more specific question, please ask.

m8...to answer your question about the wrong side of the bed the answer is NO...however, I'm not inclined to receive snark responses to questions I have posted concerning ..'help'..for in this forum there are many tiers who more than likely have encountered the need for dying, and that was my request..the need for help on this subject...

..I'm a straight shooter there m8...my Canadian background does not allow for snark shots at anyone's post...unless the poster and I have been friends for a while..but my Italian heritage will not allow **** on any of my threads..

..but if the ppl here are as touchy as you have lead me to believe, then I have come to this forum with closed eyes..unless you yourself can help me in my quest.