Furs & Skins - Fly Tying Materials

Furs and skins for fly tying

Furs and skins are natural fly tying materials used for many classic and modern fly patterns. They give you freedom to choose the place, length and amount of hair needed for a specific pattern.

In this category you will find skin pieces with hair, tails, hare masks, deer hair, fox fur, Nayat / Snowrunner and bucktail, also known as deer tail. These materials are used mainly for streamers, pike flies, saltwater flies, salmon flies and dry flies.

How to choose fur or skin for a fly pattern?

For large streamers, pike flies and saltwater flies, Nayat / Snowrunner and bucktail are very good choices. Nayat gives long, soft hair with natural movement, while bucktail helps build longer wings, tails and a clear profile in larger flies.

Deer hair works well for muddler heads and dry fly wings. Fox fur is often used for salmon fly wings, tube flies and larger streamers.

When you build a larger set of materials, furs and skins can be matched with zonker strips, dubbing, feathers and other furs and hairs for fly tying.

Skin pieces, tails and hare masks — what is the difference?

A skin piece with hair gives you the most control over the material. You can cut exactly the amount of hair you need and choose a part with the right length and structure.

Tails, such as fox tail and bucktail, are most often used for streamer wings and salmon flies. Soft fox hair moves well in the water, while bucktail helps create a more stable wing profile.

A hare mask gives you material for dubbing, small hackles and tails made from longer hairs.

FAQ — furs and skins for fly tying

What is the difference between a skin piece and a zonker strip?

A skin piece allows you to cut the material you need. A zonker strip is a ready-cut, narrow strip of skin with hair, used mainly for streamers.

What is deer hair best used for?

Deer hair is used mainly for muddler heads and dry fly wings. It can be trimmed after tying it to the hook.

What is Nayat / Snowrunner used for?

Nayat / Snowrunner is a very good material for large streamers, pike flies and saltwater flies. The long hair moves well in the water and helps create long wings for large streamer patterns.