We all have our coveted favorite patches of deer hair. When purchasing deer hair, the variables seem infinite, and consistency is a crapshoot at best. Around 2022, Josh Varner began processing his niche, premium grade fly tying deer hair operation. His product has vastly improved consistency and reliability by grading patches for specific tying applications. In other words, we are not scratching our heads wondering whether our purchase of deer hair will suit our specific needs! He has managed to create a wonderful line logic around 4 main tiers of graded deer hair. Deer hair is essential for floating dry flies, spun hair, stacked wings, sculpted flies, etc. There are many types of deer hair for different applications. Varner's has brought some semblance to the often confusing purchasing decision. This entry will explain why.
Above photo: Black microcaddis #20-#22 tied with Varner's “Short Fine”
Black, these aren't your granddaddy's deer-hair patches!
Typically, mass-market deer hair has uneven dye batches, inconsistent quality, and, most of all, grading issues. A typical problem is mixing up harvesting dates, i.e., early season, mid-season, and late season mismatching. Deer hair varies significantly depending on the season and harvest dates. This is important when considering which types of flies you plan on tying. There are many variables and inconsistencies that make it very difficult for consumers to trust the grading of any given deer hair order. Personally, I suffer from PTFS, Post-Traumatic Flaring Syndrome, and currently I am under psychiatric observation for my condition.
So Josh Varner came to everyone's emotional rescue, including my own, when he introduced his line of premium deer hair with a well-thought-out line logic. I've been tying with all his graded deer hair, but one in particular is my favorite: the “Short Fine” deer hair. Let me hopefully break it down with some user insights:
Above photo: Varner's “Short Fine” in Cinnamon that today will be
used to tie up a dozen October caddis
1) “Short Fine” deer hair is the flagship of this line of deer hair in my opinion and definitely my favorite patches of the lot for my particular applications. Highly compressed and short fibers. Flares beautifully from midway down, great for comparaduns. A great choice for smaller dry fly wings, micropatterns, and patterns that are not necessarily heavy-handed. I use it for most of my size #16 patterns, down to size #22. Short, abrupt tips perfect for little caddis patterns. The length and proportion of the taper to the tips are very consistent; this is by far the best deer hair I've tied with for my applications.
Above photo: Varner's “X-Fine” with long extended tips great for tailing and
micropatterns without adding bulk.
2) “X-Fine” deer hair from the center back of the deer. Good for tails based on the length of the fine-tips. Provides a longer taper to the tips than the “Short Fine.” A relatively harder hair. The tips are long and wispy. Because the tips are long and fine, it is not a great pairing for adding buoyancy to smaller flies, but it is great for proportioning on extremely small hook profiles. The tips lend themselves perfectly for tails and underwings. A great patch for areas where you don't want much flaring. A harder hair in general, I find.
3) “Mid-Season” deer hair is harvested earlier when the coat is slightly shorter and has fewer hollow fibers. This works well with medium heads, muddlers, and slightly smaller bug patterns when a lot of flare is not necessary. Shorter than late season, softer, but generally can cover a very wide range of fly patterns.
4) “Late-Season” deer hair is suited, in general, for larger flies where spinning and packing is needed. Stonefly wings, bass bugs, and larger hairwings for drakes. Good for big heads on muddlers. A more robust patch great for sculpting large floating heads.
Above photo: Some outstanding “X- Fine” Ginger Bleach; these fibers stack super clean.
Varner's deer hair is one of those companies that I pray will last for many decades to come because their attention to detail and colorways are a rare commodity in a world where so many fly tying products are coming in from overseas with little or no quality control. I really care about smaller, local companies in my area and prefer to spend my money with companies I fully respect and admire. Craft is essential both in my family and the common bonds I hold with other rod makers, fly tyers, and artists. Our stories as Americans need to flourish here, and many of those stories are fueled and kept creative by American hands.
Thank you for letting me share
Clint Bova
