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I've got several of these masks in different shades, because I like to mix my own hare dubbing. It gives me the opportunity to exactly match the colors found on insects for my nymphs and other wet fly ties.
Although mixing my own hare dubbing is extra work, I feel the effort does pay off, primarily on the smaller spring fed streams that I fish in the Ozarks. These streams tend to be slower moving, there is a abundant forage base, and the trout get wary due to a lot of fishing pressure. But I've found that matching the colors and texture found on insects gives me an edge.
The masks have a lot of guard hairs for that extra buggy look, imitating legs and antenna stemming from a thorax. There's also plenty of fine and light underfur for a smoother look for a nymph abdomen. So I separate the hair primarily by color, and by guard hare or underfur, when I harvest a cape. I usually cut the guard hare off the mask in clumps and and pull out the underfur, and then rake the mask to remove remaining underfur. I store it in clear zip-loc bags for use later.
Every fly bench should have one. The natural color has a good mix of colors within the mask. One thing I did notice about the mask I bought is that it kind of stinks so keep that in mind. <i>[J. Stockard replies: Hare's masks do have a stronger odor than other natrual products, and it permeates the zip-lock plastic packaging. This is a result of the tanning process, not a sign of faulty preparation. Keep your hare's masks in a sealed outer container to control the odor.]</i>
This is a standard fly-tying material and represents top-quality. The best application of a mask is to make quality Hare dubbing. Simply strip the fibers off the mask from around the nose especially and mix well with a coffee bean grinder or ziplock bag with compressed air. You will be pleased with the results.
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