Alpaca

[Pup]

Purchased a big bag of this material from an alpaca rancher recently. It contains all-natural hair fibers (no dyes) in black, brown, beige, white, and gray colors. Below are four of my jigs tied with the brown alpaca fibers.



This material seems much like wool roving. The major difference is that alpaca fiber is hollow and water resistant, meaning it would tend to float initially. Lambswool or wool roving absorbs water rapidly, making jigs fairly heavy. All of the fibers mentioned move well under water.

 

[Jig Man]

Now thats sompin you don't see every day... Nice jigs.

 

[Pup]

Thank you for your comment JM.

 

[Fatman]

Pup they look good!!! Like the looks of the krinkly hair

 

[Hawnjigs]

Pup, did you trim to get that nice taper ?

 

[quivira kid]

I have used some flies with alpaca and they look fantastic in the water. Those jigs will be awesome!

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

Cool bass jigs,great looking material and ties.

 

[LedHed]

cool tyes

 

[Pup]

Thank you for your comments Everyone.

Pup, did you trim to get that nice taper ?

Hawn,

No trimming other than my usual behind the jig heads, just in front of the collar. The alpaca fibers seem to have a natural taper associated with their bunches that were sheared from the animals. Pretty convenient for me. The jigs have been combed through with an eyelash comb and shaped with my fingers for photographic purposes.

 

[CrappieHappy]

Nice work Pup!

 

[smalljaw]

Man!!!! I like that already!!!!! Pup, that style jig is my favorite just because it is a very effective style for bass and I do some craft fur styles like that which I modeled after your craft fur ties but these are different for sure. The natural brown shade is really nice also, it you could get that and tie in a darker shade along with that it would make a killer craw pattern, it looks like you can do a lot with it, I have to find some!!!!! BTW, awesome ties!!!!!

 

[AtticaFish]

Never heard of anyone using that yet. Looks like some very fuzzy hair.... like it might keep the fat profile. Does it slim down with movement in the water or stay bushy? Looks like nice long fibers also - thanks for the post.

BTW - As always, your ties are superb. :icon14: The flash works perfect with it, subtle.

 

[Pup]

Thank you for the nice comments CH, SJ, and AF.

AF,

The alpaca fibers do slim down under water. Plan to fish these with either a leather or plastic "chunk" style of trailer.

BTW, alpaca fibers are used to tie leech-patterned flies and jigs. Have read that the fibers make excellent dubbing material for dry flies too.

 

[smalljaw]

Thank you for the nice comments CH, SJ, and AF.

AF,

The alpaca fibers do slim down under water. Plan to fish these with either a leather or plastic "chunk" style of trailer.

BTW, alpaca fibers are used to tie leech-patterned flies and jigs. Have read that the fibers make excellent dubbing material for dry flies too.

You have to post a pic of those with the leather trailers, I would be if you used the dark brown leather it would contrast with that shade or alpaca and you would have a bonafide smallie killer on your hands!!!!

 

[Fatman]

SJ - You ever tried any of the mohair leech yarn?? I've got some olive shade at home I'll post a pic of it. I can be a pain to tie with but makes nice jigs.

Pup - it does make nice dubbing. I had a little of it from a fly tying swap box. The guys would cut it into 1/4" size and put it through a coffee grinder to fluff it up.

 

[StumpHunter]

Outstanding work Pup.

 

[Pup]

Thank you StumpHunter.

 

[Shoemoo]

My dad brought home a huge blanket from Peru made from alpaca hide pieces when he was in the navy before I was born. I remember how soft and fine the hair was. I'm sure those jigs would look great in the water.

My parents used the blanket as a comforter, and then as a wall hanging. It started to fall apart a few years back from the stitching pulling out so my mom took it down. I should ask to see if they still have it and would let me cut it up for jigs.

 

[Pup]

Shoemoo,

I believe that the jigs will work well for bass, particularly with one of my leather trailers. If I had an alpaca blanket available to me, I would definitely evaluate it for use. You could likely tie some very nice crappie jigs from one.

I haven't been this enthusiastic about a natural material for jig tying in quite some time.