Calf Tail (kip tail) 10 colors

CA$7.00
CA$7.00
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white calf tail .... more colors on order


🪶 Uses of Calf Tail in Fly Tying:

  1. Wings on Dry Flies:
  • Commonly used for the upright wings on classic dry fly patterns like the Royal Wulff, Humpy, and Irresistible.
  • The natural stiffness of the fibers helps the fly stand upright and maintain its profile on the water surface.
  1. Tails on Dry Flies:
  • Shorter, stiffer fibers from the base of the tail are often used for tails on some dry flies to help with floatation and balance.
  1. Post Material in Parachute Flies:
  • White calf tail is sometimes used as a parachute post (though poly yarn or Antron is more common nowadays). It’s visible and gives the fly a traditional look.

  1. Accent Material in Streamers and Steelhead Flies:
  • Can be used for wing accents or underwings due to its crinkly, slightly translucent nature.

🔧 Tips for Tying with Calf Tail:

  • Stacking helps: The fibers are naturally crinkly, so use a hair stacker to align the tips.
  • Avoid the base: The bottom third of the tail is often too coarse and hollow; the middle to tip sections are best for wings.
  • Control bulk: It's easy to add too much and make a bulky fly — a little goes a long way.





“My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things—trout as well as eternal salvation—come by grace, and grace comes by art, and art does not come easy.”

— Norman Maclean