Bucktail Questions

I'm making a few bucktails, and was planning on using the flashabou stuff, but realized that I could probably use regular tinsel, like what you decorate a christmas tree with. Is that possible, or will it clump together in the water?

Thks

If you are making musky bucktails, you probably want something a bit stronger/stiffer. There are places on line that sell the stainless steel precut for this. You can probably find other places that aren't precut, but I don't know the gauge, ect. to use. Stay away from the galvanized steel wire at the hardware/craft stores, stainless straight rod/wire is the way to go.

There are a ton of good tying materials around the house & at the craft stores. Many fly shops sell craft fur, like those troll dolls have. They are a good substitute for bucktail, if you want something that "swims" a bit more. I use this on my lead jig head style bucktails (not spinner type). The fly shops usually have a much better selection of colors ect. and many times aren't much more expensive. Although, not nearly as many fly shops around as their are craft stores.

Nail polish makes a pretty good paint too. You won't get the expert results the guys airbrushing get, but good for solid or split colors. The sparkle coating stuff makes a good immitation scale and adds another coat for protection. 3-4 coats is almost as tough as powder coating, without the need to use an oven. Sharpies are nice for adding some details too.