Dye Materials at Blue Ribbon Flies

This week’s Throw Back Thursday post is about dye materials at Blue Ribbon Flies.

My wife and I stopped at Blue Ribbon Flies back in July during our first trip this year to the Madison River. I almost always stop in at Blue Ribbon Flies to pick up a couple items. This year, it was piece of X Caddis deer hair and two pair of Mallard wings. I have to say, their Mallard wings are the best I’ve ever seen. I use them for my RiverKeeper Soft Hackle Cripple.

But I digress. Bucky took us to the back room where all the dying of bird skins, hackle of all sorts, Pheasant tails, deer and elk hair, and of course, Zelon happens.

I don’t know how old some of this dye is and Bucky wouldn’t hazard a guess, but you can tell by some of the containers it looks like it’s been there awhile.

Here is a closeup of the container of black dye.

And this is where all the magic happens. The stove is used to heat water and dye. Do you recognize this image? I highlighted the ironing board a few weeks ago. It’s the one where all the Crinkled Zelon is straightened.

I don’t know how old this stove is either. But it is nasty looking!

My wife constantly reminds me not to lick my fingers when applying dubbing and other materials on flies I tie.

After making a trip to the back room, perhaps I should pay more attention!

Enjoy…go fish!