Bucktails

[FishHawk]

How is the quality of your bucktails? This Spring I came to the shop to get my annual supply and was dissapointed. The selection was not what I was used to from the Edge which has always been the best source for quality bucktails. Is there a best time of the year to come down and get the good stuff? Perhaps it was due to your moving into the new space that caused the problem. FishHawk

[Pete_G]

Quality bucktails (in large quantities) have become MUCH more difficult to secure in the past few years, much like quality feathers.

We are at the mercy of our suppliers. We never know what level of quality will arrive when we order them. Many batches recently have come in which have been completely disappointing, so all we could really do is send them back.

In hindsight, I wish I bought more for my own personal stash. It might never be as good as it was again. We are of course trying to find quality tail, but we'll just have to see what happens. In certain colors we still have very good quality hair.

[FishHawk]

Thanks for your honest reply. Perhaps you could put the word out to a few hunters and they could get you some decent tails. However, then you would have to get into the dying business. Just a suggestion. Blue Ribbon Flies in Montana has a good supply of quality bucktails, perhaps they could help you out. FishHawk

[Pete_G]

It would take an army of hunters to keep up with the demand and a factory for the processing.

That's been an issue with many suppliers, nevermind the quality end of things.

[RRabiner]

Originally Posted by Pete_G

Quality bucktails (in large quantities) have become MUCH more difficult to secure in the past few years, much like quality feathers.

We are at the mercy of our suppliers. We never know what level of quality will arrive when we order them. Many batches recently have come in which have been completely disappointing, so all we could really do is send them back.

In hindsight, I wish I bought more for my own personal stash. It might never be as good as it was again. We are of course trying to find quality tail, but we'll just have to see what happens. In certain colors we still have very good quality hair.

Pete

It is an age old problem - guys trying to find quality tail