FLYMPH FORUM

wayneb wrote:How long are Musk Ox fibers?

Varies. I only have a small patch and hair length varies. Some around 50cm/16".

From footage I have seen of the animals, some of the hair likely exceeding that length considerably.

Cheers,
Hans W

I believe the ab is either the hair of a cow/horse or the spine of a feather. But I can see I've been beat-up here!!!! Musk Ox. Nice.

Hans, Howdy;

the 'nudge' worked.

Truly unique follicles, 2 toned, who'd a thunk it ???

hank

Not having any real Musk-Ox experience, I am guessing a bit here, but could it be that the upper surface of each hair on these wonderful beasts faces some fair extremes in weather- complete with sun glare off of snow. This may sun bleach the upper surface and the underside would retain the original colouration, therefore giving each fibre the verigation?
Just a thought.

Mataura mayfly wrote:Not having any real Musk-Ox experience, I am guessing a bit here, but could it be that the upper surface of each hair on these wonderful beasts faces some fair extremes in weather- complete with sun glare off of snow. This may sun bleach the upper surface and the underside would retain the original colouration, therefore giving each fibre the verigation?
Just a thought.

I do not think it is that at all.

The hair may or may not be hollow - my suspicion it is.

In any case the light hitting the highest point seems to go pretty much right through, showing up as lighter. The two edges have light trying to go through more "shell", like this ( and ), and they show up darker.

Hans W

That blows my theory then.
Sounds like very interesting material, with subtle unique qualities. Might be just "the" new material for flies used in those difficult areas of the world where trout are well educated and pressured, needing to be offerend something new and exciting.
Any idea how the hair is harvested? do the locals hunt them, or are they raised domestically?
Imaging how many flies could be tied from a single fibre........

Mataura mayfly wrote:Any idea how the hair is harvested? do the locals hunt them, or are they raised domestically?

No idea. A friend from BC sent me a small patch of a pelt.

Cheers,
Hans W