Furs and Hairs - Fly Tying Materials

Furs and hairs for fly tying

Furs and hairs are essential fly tying materials used mainly for streamers, pike flies, saltwater flies, salmon flies and dry flies. They add natural movement, texture and shape to the fly, depending on the type and length of the hair.

In this category you will find rabbit, muskrat, squirrel and mink zonker strips, deer hair, fox, hare, bucktail and Nayat / Snowrunner. The materials are available as skin strips, skin pieces with hair, tails and selected portions for fly tying.

How to choose fur or hair for a fly?

For streamers, choose materials that move well in the water and help create a natural fly profile. Rabbit, muskrat and squirrel zonker strips work well in many streamer patterns, from small baitfish imitations to larger trout streamers.

For large pike flies and saltwater flies, Nayat / Snowrunner and bucktail are strong choices. Nayat gives long, soft movement, while bucktail, also known as deer tail, is one of the classic materials for larger streamer wings. For dry flies, muddler heads and floating parts, deer hair is often the best option.

When you build your fly tying materials from the beginning, it is worth choosing fur and hair together with suitable hooks, threads, beads, feathers and dubbing. You can find the main fly tying materials in the main category of the shop.

Zonker strips, skin pieces and tails — what is the difference?

A zonker strip is a narrow strip of skin with hair. It is most often used as the back or tail of a streamer and gives the fly a soft, mobile action in the water.

Skin pieces with hair give more freedom. You can cut the exact piece of material you need and fit it to a specific fly pattern. Tails, such as fox tail, are often used for streamer wings and salmon flies. Bucktail is one of the basic materials for large pike flies and saltwater flies.

FAQ — furs and hairs for fly tying

What fur is best for streamers?

For streamers, rabbit and muskrat zonker strips are among the most common choices. For smaller patterns, squirrel and mink zonker strips are also useful. For larger pike and saltwater streamers, Nayat / Snowrunner and bucktail work very well.

What is deer hair used for?

Deer hair is mainly used for muddler heads and dry fly wings, especially in caddis-style dry flies. It can be trimmed and shaped, and it adds natural buoyancy to the fly.

What is bucktail used for in fly tying?

Bucktail is used mainly for streamer wings, pike flies and saltwater flies. It is valued for its length, natural taper and ability to create a stable wing profile.

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

A zonker strip is a ready-cut strip of skin with hair, most often used for streamers. A skin piece gives more freedom, because you can cut the exact piece of material you need.