Ask Charlie #2 - Deer and Elk Hair Explained by Charlie Craven

Charlie talks everything hair in the video and the differences between all the types of fly tying hair. If you want to ask Charlie a question, email him at [e-mail]
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[@gregoneal1]

Charlie, this is brilliant. I learned to tie from your first book, and you never cease to amaze me. Please continue putting out these types of videos. They are invaluable.

[@everettstevenson6110]

I’ve watched this at least 5 times. I ordered six different hair types discussed in this video and applied them as described in this video. It really changed the quality of my flies. So awesome 👏. Thank you.

[@toddperkins7681]

That was wonderful. I enjoy the deep dive, detailed explanation videos more than just the “hey, this is how you tie this” videos. Not that I don’t enjoy them, I just really appreciate the “why” of materials and techniques. I’d love to see a video in this “all about” style about dubbing. The different types and applications of each.

[@drvaleriejuliebrousseau9607]

Thank you very much for this masterclass. Very helpful.

[@dianadevito5898]

This is great!!! I have wanted this explanation for a long time!! Thank you! 😊

[@JohnH-CO]

Thank you Charlie. Informative and concise. I look forward to this series of videos.

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Very informative. If you have any trouble selling those used patches of hair, I'll take them off your hands. Lol

[@jimmymani]

Fantastic explanations, particularly for a newer tier like me. Thank you!

[@johnmccoy9653]

Superb instruction as always, Charlie! Thanks for the lesson!

[@dustyhiebert5748]

Amazing amount of detailed information being given to us here, Mr. Craven thank you!

[@Grateful_angler]

Great video Charlie! Really informative and always fun to hear you explain things

[@maknifeandrods7701]

A mystery most of my 40 years of tying. Thank you Charlie for taking the time to sort that out. 👍

[@cachi-7878]

@16:47, a trick I was taught many moons ago, is to flick a couple of times the butt ends while holding tight on the tips. This will get rid of 90% of the under fur.Try it, Charlie and thank me later. 😉

[@craiggranquist1848]

Nice video Charlie. Really good explanations and examples. I looked at purchasing your book, but shipping to Australia is murder. Do you have any other shipping options? Cheers Craig

[@tinoyb9294]

Graduate level fly tying materials lesson! A guy at Rocky Mountain Dubbing in Lander put me on to yearling elk and the fact that the shorter tips make for better stacking. Made a huge difference. I have seen coastal deer hair in stores. Is that good for anything in particular?

[@jdoza5184]

Very helpful as I just started sorting thru my container of hair patches and found that I failed to mark several of them as to what type of hair it is so your video has helped me immensely. Question ; in going thru my patches I noticed that in some cases usually the 1 1/2-2 inch ones the stem is wavy or crinkled yet otherwise normal. One of which is marked as being “Elk” would you know why that is ? Thanks for the video and your response.

[@Flies_the_limit]

Just watched the whole video and have 1 question. What's a good hair to use for flies that call for hair? .... kidding. Thank you for the in depth hair explanation Charlie.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Love this Nerds book! Got it a week after starting my adventures in fly tying and finger jabbing. Highly recommend it. I've even read parts of it =)

[@algonquinflyfishingpremium5266]

Really useful info - the best run down on hair I have heard. You implied the hair comes from wild hunted hides? Do meat farms provide hides for fly tying?

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Fantastic. really clear and helpful. :-) Happy New Year,

[@I_Tie_Flies]

Thanks for another great video. My question is for someone just starting out what are the two or three fur types to buy first that will provide the greatest value as you start tying flies? Thanks.

[@krallmi48]

Yup... does help, Charlie. Thanks! Mike

[@bjornrahm5195]

Thank you, great stuff and very educational!

[@jimholland1592]

Thanks charley, you are amazing 👍gonna buy the book and help a brother out😉

[@jasonshumake777]

Most elk get quartered and carried out so there is no dragging to ruin the hair

[@jeffporter4894]

good lord that is a lot of info! And to think I just look for Elk Hair or Coastal comparadun deer hair. 😆

[@everettstevenson6110]

Thanks for the education

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

Thanks a lot, Charlie! 👍🏻

[@conorlinehan4434]

I don’t read so this is perfect

[@CharliesFlyBox]

😂

[@gabe5979]

This was a great video and this was a funny comment.

[@Noone-578]

Is handling deer or elk hair at all dangerous? Shoudl i be worried about catching something like chronic wasting disease?

[@CharliesFlyBox]

@@Noone-578 no danger at all.

[@RVRRUN00]

Great! Thanks!

[@melchurch3019]

That was a helpful tutorial. I've been tying with Elk and Deer since talking with Chris Helm years ago at fly shows. Always fun and messy. Thanks.

[@johnreilly5600]

Chris was the forerunner to many today. He was making hair and how to tie with it a science before anyone else, most importantly he became a great mentor to me and good friend. Our fishing trips to the Bahamas I will always cherish as well as our hours of phone conversations LD on the phone b4 the days of social media. My most memorable times though are my week stays at his house during my vacations where we would fish & tie, along with teaching me how to process deer and elk hides. RIP Chris, you are missed, never forgotten.

[@alanbigcheesehautly5009]

Excellent presentation!!! This was very helpful, and I will go back to my book for further knowledge. I "helped a brother out!"

[@the_trout_deceiver7897]

Thankyou Charlie super informative I've been tying a long time and not known the real differences 👍

[@axelschug3451]

Awesome episode! Can you explain the properties of hair marketed as Hopper Deer and Stimulator Deer? Any difference in the flair desired, or is it markings and texture they’re after? Or are they just after my money, which I’m happy to give up lol😅

[@randallsimmons1093]

We definitely have some beautiful deer here in North Carolina.

[@randallsimmons1093]

Thanks If you folks ever come over to N.C. for some fly fishing, be sure and hit the Davidson River for trophy browns and the Upper Nantahala River for trophy Rainbows and Brook trout.. We also have the Fly Fishing Museum of the Appalachian’s just up the road in Bryson City NC.. it is a really good time too. Love the channel, Thanks for all you do!

[@deankrueger7178]

Great video! Follows right along with the book! Lets see Charlie use some short fine white for small hair wings and or parachutes! That would make a freaking great video! Thanks again guys!!

[@sonja9001]

This video explains why my hair work is so ragged. Now I can look forward to making some nice tight Irresistible dry flys before I get too old to use them. Thanks for sharing a great video on fly tying again.

[@Utahlonghorn]

This one is getting bookmarked because I will be rewatching many times! Excellent content on hair!

[@tj-fk4vw]

Thank you very much for this video. Very informative.

[@phillmartin6196]

Charlie I bought your basic fly tying and your fly box year's ago when they came out & now this. You are still the very best ever. Thank You.

[@salarfish]

Moose body hair is used for wings on Atlantic Salmon Flies here in Eastern Canada and it works very well. Thanks for the info on the various hairs.

[@phillmartin6196]

Charlie every person knows that watching a second and third time it is even better. Thanking you again.

[@jdigioia1130]

I had NO idea that there was this much to know about deer/elk hair! 🤯 Thanks for sharing the knowledge. 🎣

[@billmoser6362]

Very informative! Thanks Charlie

[@ruthcoates9587]

Thanks so much! I was never taught the difference in hair before, or uses for each.

[@jamesvatter5729]

Great explanations, Charlie. Noting what it is on the hide is a terrific idea.

[@paulbridgers3820]

Great video very informative thanks for sharing.

[@elihusmails]

Fantastic video, thank you Charlie. I'm going to check out your books too. You still offering signatures with the books? 😂

[@CharliesFlyBox]

Absolutely!

[@elihusmails]

​@CharliesFlyBox order placed. I didn't see a spot to ask for the book to be signed so hopefully this makes it through ok.

[@charlieboutin3341]

Thanks a lot for all this great information! 👍👍👌

[@rplecker]

Well done Charlie! I learned some nuances that I knew intuitively, but have never heard explained this well. In the end it’s like most things, you gotta work with the materials to develop the feel for how they react in different circumstances. Every single piece of hair is different- this is how I explain to my wife why I have a lifetime supply of hair for 10 people in my stash ;-).

[@cachi-7878]

You meant nuances…😉

[@rplecker]

@@cachi-7878 I’ll blame auto text, but corrected.

[@cachi-7878]

Something you forgot to mention is whether or not you spin hair on a bare shank or you always lay a layer of thread before. There seems to be two schools of thought.

[@CharliesFlyBox]

On thread and that’s covered in any of my hair spinning videos. This one is more about the material than the techniques.

[@charlieboutin3341]

@@CharliesFlyBoxThank you! I always thought it Had to be bare hook. I’ll find your spinning videos. Really appreciate your help. 👍👍👌