Quality Bucktail

[FishHawk II]

Where do you guys get you bucktail. I used to get mine at the Saltwater Edge in RI but for the past few years the quality of their bucktails has gone down. They told me that it's difficult to fine quality buctail anymore. FishHawk

[flashback max]

I've gotten mine at Bears Den recently. They're pretty good. I guess it just depends on what they're sent and if you're lucky enough to get the good ones. Recently I've taken to putting notes in with my orders telling them what I was planning on using the tails for. They're pretty good at listening and trying to make you happy.

If you don't mind fussing around a little, the best thing to do is shoot your own, or get some friends who do. It's a pain fleshing, drying, and dyeing them but the quality is noticeably higher.

[scottguy]

When it comes to Deer Material I think the best starts and ends with
Chris Helm.
(link removed - Alan)

If you give him a call and tell him what you are spefically are tying for/looking for he is a great source with the best deer hair (including bucktail) I have ever come across not to mention a very nice guy.

Check him out you will be glad you did.

[Sandflee]

upstate NY (hunting season)

[lostncentralma]

find good white ones usually pretty easy and die them yourself, thats what im gonna have to start doing agian. i used to always look almost pastel/light colors, for most of my ties, since the bears den doesnt usually carry alot of light colors, and the saltwater edge has been scetchy lately with there qualitity(acording to others here that have not been happy ive never had a problem)i will always try the bears den scotts always been really good to me, but if he doesnt have what im looking for ill have him pick the hair im looking for and die it myself

[BobPop]

One thing for sure, super long, 6" or more, bucktail fibers are very hard to find. So don't expect to find too many. But if you keep looking around you will come across a couple. Then you have to use them very specifically. Cherish each one.
But I have no trouble finding good bucktails locally here in Seaside Park. Just got two yesterday. The tackle store is supplied by Rumph's and I find their quality is always above average. Clean, and well displayed for better choosing.
Choosing the right tail is helped by experience. Take them out to handle them. Check the fibers taper, softness, thickness and smell. Pick bucktails for specific purposes like thin fibers for slim imitations, or short hairs for short flies and long fibers for lengthy flies. The more you tie and observe the different type fibers and how they react to thread pressure, etc., the better your flies will look. Give yourself some time.
To get you started a little faster try these tips; Softer hairs are usually fine in thickness and have nicely tapered tips, and this type hair usually responds calmly when tied on to the hook-shank. Thicker hairs usually flare a lot but also are often long in length. The most usable hairs are from the tip down about 2/3 the overall length. NEVER throw away portions of used tails because there are flies to be tied from all kinds of tails. You may use them in the future for a fly not yet seen! All the best.
BobPop