Troutnut.com Fly Fishing for Trout Home
User Password
or register.
Scientific name search:

> > Snowshoe Hare



DreedeeJuly 29th, 2008, 3:07 pm
Posts: 16I haven't had much luck keeping snowshoe hare-winged dries afloat, which is too bad, as the trout were crazy about it on a sulfur pattern I tied. Are there some rabbits with more buoyant fur than others? If so, I'd like to find where I can get them. I tie lots of comparaduns, which are wonderful. And I DO use CDC for the #26-#28 bwos of summer, though I hate how I have to keep changing flies. Snowshoe that floated well would be the ticket. Any suggestions?
JOHNWJuly 29th, 2008, 4:41 pm
Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452
Bill,
this may sound a little codescending at first but please humor me.

Where on the animal is the fur you were using?
This is a very important consideration as the body hair is much more susceptable to becoming waterlogged. The best hair for wining comes from the foot.
The next question is how are you tying the hair in?
Assuming the answer to the first question was from the foot try tying the hair in by the tips. This is contrary to what we all learn re: tying in hair wings but with the snowshoe it puts the heaviest amount of oil out where it will do the most good.

Finally are you using a dyed foot (again asssuming you are using the foot)? If so they tend to be less abundant in the oils which are so beneficial in maintaining flotation.

All in all I have had considerable success with snowshoe but it still does require occaisional dressing to keep floating.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn
DreedeeJuly 29th, 2008, 6:04 pm
Posts: 16John:

I'm laughing at myself; should've mentioned that the hair off the hare DID come from it's foot. It was, I believe a pair distributed by Harleline, and was not dyed. I was just curious, as I'd read online that so many fly fishers swear by the stuff. It ties great and seems to attract trout, but, as I said, I had a hard time keeping the fly afloat.
MartinlfJuly 29th, 2008, 7:14 pm
Moderator
Palmyra PA

Posts: 3233
Dreedee,

Adding to JohnW's suggestions, I'd say, if you use enough hair, the right kind of hair, and don't use the wrong kind of floatant on it, snowshoe will float very well.

I typically make sure to get a substantial wing tied of the underfur on the foot. I think the soft, dense underfur holds air better and floats better. One can't use a standard floatant, such as Gink on it. Harrop's CDC preen oil floatant works, and so does Frog's Fanny, which I prefer.

Hope this helps.
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"

--Fred Chappell
JADJuly 30th, 2008, 3:33 pm
Alexandria Pa

Posts: 362
(I haven't had much luck keeping snowshoe hare-winged dries afloat, which is too bad, as the trout were crazy about it on a sulfur pattern I tied.)

Hi Bill
I have had the same thoughts about Snow shoe hair flies till I started to use (Dry Magic) by Tiemco, solved my problem.

JaD

They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock’s wattles, and which in colour are like wax.
Radcliffe's Fishing from the Earliest Times,
JOHNWJuly 30th, 2008, 6:54 pm
Chambersburg, PA

Posts: 452
Bill,
Another thing to consider is that part of what makes Snowshoe flies like the Usual so effective is their low floating nature. I find they are not quite as effective when "floating like a cork". That being said a squeeze in the amadou followed with a liberal dose of Frogs Fanny and as long as I don't start fishing for squirrels (I guess that would be better described as "Squirreling")one fly is all I need on light to medium pocket water with trout accustomed to looking up.
JW
"old habits are hard to kill once you have gray in your beard" -Old Red Barn

Quick Reply

You have to be logged in to post on the forum. It's this easy:
Username:          Email:

Password:    Confirm Password:

I am at least 13 years old and agree to the rules.

Related Discussions

TitleRepliesLast Reply
Re: Snowshoe Hare
In Fly Tying by Dreedee
10Jan 7, 2012
by FisherOfMen
Re: Help with a fair price for fly tying gear & feathers
In the Photography Board by Poproque
5Mar 5, 2018
by Wbranch
Re: Snowshoe Question
In Fly Tying by Martinlf
8Mar 4, 2013
by Martinlf
Re: Trout dry flies don't float well
In Gear Talk by Helenjmoore
3Oct 29, 2022
by Jmd123
Re: new
In General Discussion by Greenwolly
1Aug 14, 2009
by Flytyer0423
Re: Dying Elk Hair
In Fly Tying by JOHNW
2Oct 1, 2007
by JOHNW
Re: Tricos
In Fishing Reports by Wbranch
5Jul 21, 2008
by Martinlf
Re: This One is for Matt
In the Photography Board by Oldredbarn
7Feb 7, 2020
by Wbranch
Re: Getting the kinks out of snowshoe
In Fly Tying by Martinlf
1Feb 24, 2013
by JOHNW
Another Trico
In Fly Tying by Martinlf
0