The Airbnb we rented is in the basement of a ranch style house. There's a pretty ground-level view when you stand at the kitchen and yesterday we had the wildlife pay us a visit. And out here there's a lot of wildlife.
We spent most of the day yesterday on our backs but when the chance to see another herd of elk, ok that's what I thought they were, I had to jump up and grab my iPhone for some pics. My second thought, after I relayed they weren't elk, is that they were just deer, like we have back In New Jersey and South Carolina. But when a got a good rear view I saw it was different, and what piqued my curiosity was were the tails.
The tails of these deer were short, thin, rope like, and white to brown in color with a black tip. Their tails are different from the long and bushy and bright white tails of their cousins the white-tailed deer, which I am more familiar with.
The deer that came to visit are in fact mule deer. They are related to the white-tailed deer as they are like a hybrid deer. The white-tailed deer came first, then the black-tailed deer came, then they mixed it up and that's where mule deer came from. White-tailed deer are found mostly in North America east of the Rockies while mule deer are found primarily in western and central North America. In some states they co-exist, and can even mate from time to time.
One of the mail differences between mule and white-tailed deer tails is what they use those tails for. White-tailed deer use those long and white tails for "flagging" when they are startled. It's basically a visual alarm to ward off predators or to alert other deer in the herd. Mule deer don't do that, swinging that nub from side to side any scaring anyone.
In fly tying, especially when tying up streamers or large saltwater patterns "northern" bucktail is what need. No one knew bucktail better then Bob Popovic's and his Bucktail Deceiver, Hollow and Beast Fleyes had tyers lined up at the entrance to the fly tying and fishing shows to get the first shot at the bins full of natural and dyed tails.
For those in the know there are good tails and there are, say, bad tails. Actually, well yes there are just bad, but each tail is unique and can be used for different sizes and types of flies tyers are going to spin up. Some of the hairs are long, some are short, some crinkled, some straight, other's thick while other's thin.
Finding bucktail these days isn't easy. The shows were always the go-to place to buy them because the only way to buy a good tail is to have it in hand and run your fingers through it. But small suppliers have dwindled out and the big companies, like Hareline and Fulling Mill, I don't want to pick on them, are pimping out garbage. A premiere tail these days can set you back $35-50.
The prices will be higher for tails that have been dyed with finding good black tails is like finding the Holy Grail. Black and purple bucktail are great for tying up dark flies for use in low light conditions or when moving water is off color.
So it's safe to say that white-tailed deer tails are good for bigger and swimmy flies. But what about those mule deer tails. I didn't see much about mule deer tails but I know the mule deer belly hair is good for spinning or for natural light to dark tan hairs which can used for freshwater patterns.
And then lastly there's the elk hair. I'm not a freshwater fly tyer but I am a freshwater fly buyer, always have been. But the Elk Hair Caddis, a famous fly founded by Al Troth in the 1950's, has been a must have for anyone fishing near waters where caddis are prevalent.
It's a very simple fly that uses the elk hair because it is thick, hollow, and buoyant. If you've ever ran a EHC down a riffle you know its one of the best flies to keep up on top. And caddis love riffly water, as do feeding trout, like rainbows.
If I had enough guts I would have snuck up on that elk the other day and grabbed a tuft of hair and shared it with Leif who still ties freshwater flies. But the truth is I know I would have been gored and become the poster child for why to leave the wild animals alone. Besides, I don't want to do anything out here that would delay us getting back to South Carolina. So far, so good.
And yesterday actor Tom Skerrit passed away. He played some big roles in some of the most popular movies ever produced. But I'll always remember Skeritt when he played Reverend John
Maclean in "A River Runs Through It". Want to age yourself, that movie came out in 1992. I remember seeing it for the first of 1,000 times at the brand new Lowe's Freehold Metroplex, that was 34 years ago.
Remember when going to a movie was a thing? A place to take a date? Sadly, most people get their entertainment from steaming services these days and prefer to plop themselves on the couch. Movies, like good diners, are things I am glad I got experience in my life. Skerritt passed away at age 93, and that's a good run. Thanks Tom for making great movies better. RIP
