Just acquired some polar bear hair (Don't hurt me)

[mozart]

Disclaimer: I did not purchase this, nor did I ask for it. It was given to me by someone else who know a native that lives in Alaska who brought some of this down while visiting the area.

Anyway, what do people normally tie with this? It's beautiful. Really fluffy and I can tell whatever is going to be tied with this will float like Rosanne Barr.. Maybe I can substitute CDC for this..

[Big Tuna]

hairwing steelhead flies

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Polar bear is solid, won't float, good for steel head flies. Don't get caught with it without documentation.

Daryle

[mozart]

Polar bear is solid, won't float, good for steel head flies. Don't get caught with it without documentation.

Daryle

That's surprising you say that. The hair I have seems pretty fluffy. But who knows when I get it in water.

Another disclaimer: By no means am I a poacher and condone the sale or handling of hair from an animal that can be deemed as endangered or threatened. I'm a full supporter of PETA (Let the flames begin).

Another question: What's so desirable about this type of hair. I mean, couldn't it be substituted with another type of hair? Should I discard it?

Edited: Because the white and red wine has taken effect..

[Marty]

Do not discard and don’t lose sleep over it. First how long are the longest fibers on the patch? Are they mostly straight or are they kinked. Are they bright white or kind of yellowish? I save my (legal) polar bear for steelhead flies and use it mostly on standard wets and prawns. Get the right fibers and they light up in the water. The fibers are very translucent and reflect all kinds of different colors. If you do decide to get rid of it, my trash pick up is on Fridays, I would be happy to assist.

Legal PB is not all the difficult to locate in the US, it is however expensive.

[mozart]

Please see attached pictures. Now that I've taken a few pictures of it, I can see how it gathers the light well. Don't mind the spaghetti noodles, just about to cook dinner for the misses..

[Nick Riggs]

That doesn't look like polar bear to me... I have a small patch and it's long solid fur, very shiny, very muti-faceted - catches light really well. And I had no idea you needed documentation for polar bear hair, they sell it in shops, don't they?

[ak_powder_monkey]

that there is arctic fox.

[Preston]

I think AK hit it on the nose. It does not appear to be polar bear. The underfur is much longer and more dense than in the case of polar bear; the occasional dark guard hairs are also typical of Arctic fox. Arctic fox is often used as a substitute for polar bear though it lacks the brilliance and light-refracting qualities of the latter. Arctic fox is also a solid hair and will not float any better than any other hair of that type.

[mozart]

Wow, thanks guys. Any laws against me having Arctic Fox?

[Matt Burke]

Wow, thanks guys. Any laws against me having Arctic Fox?

Yes there is. The law states you have to turn over all polor bear and artic fox to the senior members at WFF.COM.

[twinlakesleach]

That doesn't look like polar bear to me... I have a small patch and it's long solid fur, very shiny, very muti-faceted - catches light really well. And I had no idea you needed documentation for polar bear hair, they sell it in shops, don't they?

They sell it in the shops in Canada, but not in the USA.

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Yes there is. The law states you have to turn over all polor bear and artic fox to the senior members at WFF.COM.

Divie up per canadian law. ;);)

[Big K1]

Polar bear is solid, won't float, good for steel head flies. Don't get caught with it without documentation.

Daryle

Not to hijack the thread here but Polar Bear fur you would use to tie flies with is hollow.

[Daryle Holmstrom]

Not to hijack the thread here but Polar Bear fur you would use to tie flies with is hollow.
You are right, I apologize:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_Bear

[Nick Riggs]

They sell it in the shops in Canada, but not in the USA.

Maybe I saw imitation polar bear hair. It was 14 bucks for a tiny patch, however, I have a terrible memory. Does anybody have any suggestions for an awesome fly to tie with my polar bear hair? I've been saving it for something special and haven't found anything yet.

[fredaevans]

Not to hijack the thread here but Polar Bear fur you would use to tie flies with is hollow.

Beat me to it. It's the nature of the hair (hollow) that gives it's high insulating qualities (for the Bear). It's reflective qualities give the hunting bear (effectively) 'camouflage' when it's on snow.

Edit: You think you know how to 'fish?' So does he (sorry for the short add in front).: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEhsCD8Aa80&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR-7lOciKl8&feature=related

[Dean Edwards]

A few years ago you could buy real polar bear hear at the Morning Hatch. It was sold as a polar bear worm toy. It had two sitck on eyes. I have quite a few files ties with it. I mainly used it for either baitfish pattern, and steelhead flies.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Fllyfishy/SRC1.jpg

[ak_powder_monkey]

A few years ago you could by real polar bear hear at the Morning Hatch. It was sold as a polar bear worn toy. It had two sitck on eyes.



Yup that counts as handicraft for some reason...

[Randy Diefert]

Nick, It makes awesome Clousers!

[RDL]

Wish I would have bought more, picked my small stash up about 20 years ago.

[Nick Riggs]

I want to wait til I can get some seal fur and heron feathers and tie the all-illegal fly.:rofl:

[Dean Edwards]

nice stuff RDL, it looks like you raided my desk. :) I picked some up years ago from a friend. I even got my hands on some seal dub.

it's been done Nick. ;)

Purple seal, and purple polarbear

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Fllyfishy/flypurple.jpg

[mozart]

Surprised this thread is still going. I confirmed with the guy that it's indeed polar bear hair, but from the belly.

[dryflylarry]

I have been using a Hareline material called "Ice Fur Polar Bear Cream". It has better reflective qualities (to me) than Polar Bear hair (which a couple of pieces have laid in my drawer for a good number of years now). I love this material and am now adding it to old patterns with good success.

[fullerfly]

We sold it at "The Guides' Fly Shop" in B-ham, Now over here in Sandpoint, ID I sell P. Bear flies for 13.95 each....ouch!!! People are convinced it will help them catch the dwindling Lake Pend Oreille Rainbow...

[Bowfin47]

I got tired of arguing with tyers about the legalities/illegalities of various tying materials (i.e. coots, american wood cock, & other non-webb footed migratory game birds, as well as polar bear, seal and etc.) , so I recently emailed the US Fish and Wildlife Service with a series of "tying supply" questions and here is the section of the USWFS's response dealing with polar bear:

What Lacey Act issues surround the possession of polar bear or seal hide/hair?

50 CFR 18.13 prohibits the possession, sale or transportation of Polar bear or seals and their parts or products taken in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Certain exemptions apply for legally hunted and imported polar bears and marine mammal parts and products held prior to the act or marine mammal products crafted and sold by Alaskan Natives. (See 50 CFR 18 Subpart C General Exception, for further information) The Lacey Act applies to wildlife and plants, including marine mammals, imported, transported, sold, received, acquired that have been taken, possessed transported or sold in violation of State, Federal, foreign or Tribal laws. If you need further clarification of potential Lacey Act issues associated with marine mammals please provide specific details or examples.

What is required to "prove" that the polar bear hide/hair is legal for possession by that tyer?

Polar bear hair or the hide may only be possessed if it was acquired pre-act, legally hunted and imported or purchased in the form of a native handicraft from an Alaskan native. Authentic native handicrafts made of marine mammals may be bought and sold, but must be in their original condition. Documentation could include a bill of sale, U.S. Fish and Wildlife import declarations, CITES permits, airway bills, etc. or any record that substantiates the possession is lawful under the above mentioned exemptions.

[Les Johnson]

I believe that there are a couple of licensed purveyors of polar bear hair. To be on the safe side, consider it illegal to own. The other side of the coin is that many of us who are very long in the tooth still own a fair amount of it for personal use from the days when we could buy it from Tom Darling at Avid Angler (the old Seattle shop), or Clarence Shoff, owner of Shoff's Sporting Goods in Kent. This was prior to passage of legislation outlawing endangered animal fur or feathers.
Les Johnson

[fredaevans]

I believe that there are a couple of licensed purveyors of polar bear hair. To be on the safe side, consider it illegal to own. The other side of the coin is that many of us who are very long in the tooth still own a fair amount of it for personal use from the days when we could buy it from Tom Darling at Avid Angler (the old Seattle shop), or Clarence Shoff, owner of Shoff's Sporting Goods in Kent. This was prior to passage of legislation outlawing endangered animal fur or feathers.
Les Johnson

Gadzooks Les. :beathead:

Did you have to remind me how old I am?bawling:

[FT]

Bowfin47,

In other words, you were told by the US Fish & Wildlife Service exactly what myself and some other have been saying about polar bear in past posts. Namely that unless you can prove it was acquired prior to January 1, 1972 (when the act went into effect) by either yourself or the seller, or that it is an Alaskan Native or Alaskan Eskimo craft item in its original form (like those little worm things that Morning Hatch was selling in years past), it is not legal to have it in your possession (this includes flies tied with it) or sell it.

This is why myself and several others have repeatedly said that unless whoever is selling it can provide you with a copy of the proof that it was acquired prior to January 1, 1972, or a copy of the proof that the craft item came from an Alaskan Native or Alaskan Eskimo, you are better off leaving it alone.