Troutline Premium Tanned Pine Squirrel Half Skin is a carefully selected and professionally colored fly-tying material, ideal for tying realistic nymphs, wet flies, emergers, and streamers. Sourced from the Tamiasciurus douglasii species, these half skins offer an excellent balance of softness, durability, and lifelike texture that can enhance your fly-tying creations.
The Pine Squirrel Half Skin is perfect for fly tiers who seek high-quality natural materials for creating detailed and effective fly patterns. The fur from this species is known for its fine underfur, which provides a soft, realistic appearance, and longer guard hairs that add structure and texture. The tanning process preserves the natural color and texture of the fur, ensuring that it remains easy to handle and durable in water.
Dubbing: The soft underfur from the Pine Squirrel is ideal for dubbing, especially for nymphs and wet flies. Simply strip a small amount of fur, blend it with other materials if desired, and apply it to the hook to create a smooth, natural body. The fine texture allows for tight, neat dubbing loops.
Tail and Wing Materials: The longer guard hairs are perfect for creating tails and wings. These can be cut to size and tied onto the hook for a natural, lifelike appearance. The guard hairs have a natural taper and are great for mimicking the legs or tails of many aquatic insects.
Streamers: The Pine Squirrel fur is commonly used in streamer flies for freshwater species like trout. The fur strips provide excellent movement in the water, helping your streamers mimic baitfish or small aquatic creatures. You can use strips of the tanned skin to create zonker-style streamers or as a tail material.
Legs and Wing Cases: The guard hairs of the Pine Squirrel Half Skin can be used for legs and wing cases, adding realistic detail to patterns such as stonefly nymphs or caddis larvae.
Durability: The tanned skin ensures that the fur retains its shape and texture even after being submerged in water for extended periods. It also makes the material easier to handle and more versatile, allowing for better control when tying.
The Troutline Premium Tanned Pine Squirrel Half Skin is a top choice for fly tiers looking for a natural, versatile, and high-quality material. Its fine underfur and longer guard hairs allow you to tie realistic and effective flies for various species of fish. Whether you're tying nymphs, wet flies, streamers, or other patterns, this carefully tanned skin will provide you with the right texture and movement for your flies.