Lepus Americanus

[Southsound]

I have been spending the recent weeks learning dry fly tying techniques and ran across versions of tried and true dries (Royal Trude, Sparkle Dun, etc) where the snowshoe hare fur was substituted for the traditional deer or elk hair. These patterns intriqued me so I bought a pair of undyed snowshoe hare's feet and tied a number of flies using the fur as wing material. I like 'em but managing the hare's hair can be tricky as far as getting the best alignment of the tips. I am wondering if the fur would differ in quality and length depending on the season in which the hare was taken? Also, looking for other applications as just the two feet I have will provide material enough of lots of flies.

Thanks All

Steve Cole
Tumwater, WA

[hikepat]

snowshoe rabbit is the poor mans CDC material and can be subbed in for many flies calling for CDC. You can even make a Showshoe dubbing rope like you do with CDC.

[TheShadKing]

I like 'em but managing the hare's hair can be tricky as far as getting the best alignment of the tips.

I try to align the tips before cutting the fur off the foot. I've never had any luck stacking it, it's too wavy.

I am wondering if the fur would differ in quality and length depending on the season in which the hare was taken?
No clue; I find there's plenty of variation across the two feet I have so I've never been motivated to search through a bunch of feet.

Also, looking for other applications as just the two feet I have will provide material enough of lots of flies.

Try tails, parachute posts, and flat (spread/spent) wings with it.

[Southsound]

Thanks for the feedback. I am currently substituting natural and dyed hare's foot material as winging on duns and emerger patterns but I will give the spent wings a try too. Any good cripple patterns that might be adapted?

As always, appreciate the ideas I get in the responses to my questions here. Thanks again.

Steve

[Philster]

I am wondering if the fur would differ in quality and length depending on the season in which the hare was taken? Also, looking for other applications as just the two feet I have will provide material enough of lots of flies.

Thanks All

Steve Cole
Tumwater, WA

Snowshoe is just like calftail. Quality (length, texture, kink) varies in every piece you look at. No clue if it has to do with season or if some bunnies tinkle on their own feet more than others :hmmm:

[Southsound]

I was pondering the variations question this weekend and wondered if maybe the snowshoes from around Hanford might have bigger feet and therefor longer fur? :rolleyes: