Spinning Hair

There is nothing more fun and exciting than watching a fish rise to a fly floating on the surface. Many floating flies are constructed using a head and/or body made of spun deer body hair. The technique of spinning hair is described below.

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Snip a pencil diameter bundle of deer hair from the hide and pull out any fuzz from the butts. Over a bare shank, lay the hair on top with your left hand, making two loose wraps anround the middle of the hair. Firmly tighten the thread to flare the hair and very slowly release tension with your left hand.
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While the hair is spinning make one or two tight wraps through the center of the hair. Wrap your thread to the front of the hair and put a half hitch on the shank to secure the bundle. Tie in a second clump of deer hair and repeat the previous steps.
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Pack the hair back with your fingers. This will allow you to spin more hair on the hook for greater floatation. Continue to add hair clumps to the shank until the desired area of the hook is covered. Tie off your thread. Trim the hair to shape by either using scissors or a razor blade.