tying material

[steve98]

does fly-tying material go bad?

such as Hackle , dubbing, fur, and feathers of all kinds,
mallard wings partridge pheasant tails calf tail deer hair etc.

Steve 98

 

[RCFetter]

No.

If properly stored (not crushed or infected with insects), fly tying material should not go bad.

Most tyers I know claim no problem with insect infection. If material such as hair and feathers get crushed, you can fix it with steam.

 

[dryflyguy]

I would generally agree that it doesn't go bad.
However, I've tried using some hackles that were 20 - or more - years old. And the stem sometimes seems to get brittle, and break off easier

 

[GenCon]

dryflyguy wrote:
I would generally agree that it doesn't go bad.
However, I've tried using some hackles that were 20 - or more - years old. And the stem sometimes seems to get brittle, and break off easier

This is true, to a point. I have many very old Metz capes. Some as old as 30 years. Mostly they still tie well. I do get a feather once in a while that is a bit brittle. As far as dubbings and such. Like Bob said as long as no bugs get them.

GenCon

 

[Solitariolupo]

For the most part they shouldn't just gotta take care of them. Keep in a dry area. A lot of people have given me old stuff to use and it still seems to do the job.