Polar Bear

[Fatman]

Back in January a guy posted on another board saying he had some polar bear for sale. Well his deal finally went through when he bought out a fly shop. Between his calls to his FW people and me checking with the FW folks here to make sure I wasn't breaking the law, so with all the paperwork needed obtained the deal went through and it came in the mail today!!!!!!!!!!! 15 bags full

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

Wow, that should last a long time. That's something I don't have and probably never will. Too much hassle for me.

 

[toadfrog]

I think it is . If the dry hide is sort of pinkish . Looks to be though.

 

[Fatman]

Just wish I woulda got more!!!!!!! The rest he sold off to a fly shop. and Toad believe me I checked to make real sure it was!!!!

 

[StumpHunter]

Congrats on finally being able to get the Polar Bear hair. Nice looking

 

[Fatman]

I really wish I knew how to dye fur, I'd really like some of this in florescent colors but I'm not gonna screw it up!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cane Pole]

It will be interesting to see how it works in the water. I read that it is hollow for insulation and that it is really clear and not white. what do you think after getting to look at it close up?

 

[ScottV]

Why do you have to go through all the paperwork and stuff. Is it a protected species thing? Congrats on getting the fur. It looks like it should make some fine jigs.

 

[Fatman]

Cane the under fur is whiteish but the hair really has a goldish tint to it - but other pieces are all the whiteish color. Here's a few to show you

 

[Fatman]

You can see from the pics that next to the skin it's really dense - after I cut some off I use my dubbing rake and get all the underfur out and save it for dubbing - it's surprising how much you get out of each clump you tie with.

 

[Fatman]

It really helps and it really didn't cost much $3. Another set of tools that are helpful in jig tying if you try dubbing and using chenille.

Take some different size popsicle or ice cream sticks and get velcro and stick it to the them - use both the male and female sides and it's good for smoothing out materials on the hook or fluffing up dubbing or chenille thats a little crushed.

Dubbing rake

Velcro tools

 

[Shoemoo]

Cane the under fur is whiteish but the hair really has a goldish tint to it - but other pieces are all the whiteish color. Here's a few to show you

The yellow color is caused by oxidation due to sunlight. It could be due to the time of year when the bear was killed, since their coats turn yellow during the summer (land of the midnight sun, you know.) It could also be the hair was exposed to sunlight in storage.

Bottom line, if you want the white stuff to stay white, keep it stored in the dark.

 

[Fatman]

It's all been repacked and my materials are stored in dark colored containers. With the cost of materials today you have to do everything you can to protect them.

 

[Cane Pole]

I guess the question really is "how can I get some ?"

 

[Fatman]

Get lucky like I did - I may have half sold as soon as they get the paperwork checked. For Me since it was inventory in an old fly shop all I needed was the name of the shop - the name and address of the guy I bought it from. His home state has the copy of the inventory of the shop showing it was grandfathered in, so not as much paperwork.

I'll end up with half of it and break evenon the cost.